Evonik Rohmax opens new additives plant

Evonik RohMax Asia-Pacific, the local subsidiary of Germany’s Evonik RohMax Additives, has opened a new plant in Jurong Island to supply oil additives to the region. The facility, which is one of Evonik RohMax’s biggest worldwide, will consist of a laboratory, a production unit and a logistics unit. Plant Manager Bonnie Tully said flexibility of operation is the key element of the plant, which means we can expand capacity quickly when the need arises and market demand grows. About 80% of products that the company sells in the region will be produced at the plant, which costs more than 10 million (US$14.7 million) to build. The laboratory will function as a research and development center to test and fine-tune additives to customer specifications. Evonik RohMax Asia-Pacific’s Regional Manager Eric Fillod said the plant is a key part of the company’s Asia-Pacific expansion plans. Demand in the region, which already consumes about a third of the world’s lubricants, is growing six percent a year. The plant will employ 40 people and will serve as the company’s Asia-Pacific headquarters. (July 30, 2008)