Industrial park Höchst: Grillo AG invests in chemical plant

FRANKFURT 22-9-2012. A decade ago, it would not have such a case: a basic chemistry company invests a substantial sum in a new plant on a high-wage location in Frankfurt. But these days it happens on the Höchst Industrial Park, what in the recent past -for reasons of cost- only seemed possible in Asia: The Grillo Werke AG, (Duisburg) has commissioned a plant that manufactures dimethyl ether. Dimethyl ether is used as a propellant in hair spray, paint cans and cosmetics. The Grillo operation in Frankfurt employs over 130 persons.

According to Grillo Director mr. Christian Ohm, the Grillo Family Group has invested low tens of millions in the plant. Nevertheless, the Management Board pointed out that since the takeover of the Clariant operation in Höchst  (2007), Grillo invested over 50 million euros.
In this operation, the new plant is to supply 10.000 tonnes dimethyl ether to further process them on the spot. About the same amount of dimethyl ether will be available on the market and will open up new revenue streams for Grillo.

“We want to establish ourselves as a new player in this market”, mr. Ohm said during a celebration in the Industrial Park, The event was attended by representatives from Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals from Japan. They participated because Grillo has acquired a license for the new plant from this company. Producing dimethyl ether instead of buying from elsewhere was strategically important.

Mr. Mohr, Managing Director of Industrial park Infräserv Höchst evaluates this investment as a confirmation of the competitiveness of the location.