Evonik plant for functionalized polybutadienes commences operation

Essen - Evonik Industries opened a new plant for hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) in Marl. The Group invested a mid-double-digit million euro amount in the plant, which has a production capacity of several thousand metric tons per year. Evonik will market HTPB under the brand name POLYVEST® HT and with it the company is extending its polybutadienes product portfolio by a further functionalized grade.

POLYVEST® HT is primarily used in sealing compounds for insulating glass windows as well as in adhesives for automotive construction. "With POLYVEST® HT we are making use of the growth driver of resource efficiency. Because the need for products that contribute to using resources more efficiently is high," explains Dr. Ulrich Küsthardt, head of the Coatings & Additives Business Unit.

The construction of the POLYVEST® HT production plant in Germany is an investment in customer proximity and sustainability. Most markets for HTPB are located in Europe. "With the Marl production site we have a backward integration in butadiene, good application technology support, and in addition, we are able to offer our customers a good supply security and significantly reduced delivery times," explains Dr. Dietmar Wewers, head of the Coating & Adhesive Resins Business Line.

Megatrend resource efficiency drives market growth

With the investment in the HTPB plant, Evonik Industries is strengthening its position as a solutions provider in the dynamically growing market of the adhesive and sealants industry. "With POLYVEST® HT we want to participate in the above average growth of the adhesive industry. The plant in Marl is a good example of the innovative further development of our portfolio for the adhesive market," underlines Wewers.

With POLYVEST® HT Evonik expands its existing service portfolio of polyesters, polymethacrylates, amorphous-poly-alpha-olefins, wax and polybutadienes for the adhesive and sealants industry. These are marketed under the brand names DYNACOLL, VESTOPLAST, VESTOWAX, DEGALAN as well as POLYVEST.