Röhm GmbH has successfully completed its separation from Evonik Industries, with its Methacrylate Verbund being transferred to its new owner, Advent International. Röhm GmbH is a global market leader in methacrylate chemicals, with revenues of EUR 1.9 billion in 2018. The company aims to achieve global technology leadership through innovative production technology. Röhm GmbH supplies its products to various industries, including automotive, electronics, and construction. Advent International plans to invest in Röhm's technologies and production facilities to strengthen its market position. Röhm's product portfolio includes PLEXIGLAS®, a well-known brand for acrylic glass, and other methacrylate-based products.
Röhm GmbH successfully completed the carve-out from Evonik Industries. Evonik Industries’ Methacrylate Verbund is thus transferred to its new owner, Advent International, as an independent company. With revenues of EUR 1.9 billion (2018 figures) and innovative products, the company is one of the global market leaders in methacrylate chemicals. With the implementation of an innovative production technology for methyl methacrylate, Röhm GmbH is also targeting global technology leadership. The company has around 3,900 employees worldwide across 15 production sites in Germany (Worms, Darmstadt, Weiterstadt, Wesseling, Hanau), China, the USA, Russia, and South Africa.
Continuing the success story
“The name, Röhm, stands for quality and a pioneering spirit,” says CEO Michael Pack. Otto Röhm, chemist and company founder, is regarded as the founder of methacrylate chemistry. With the development of the highly transparent multifunctional plastic PLEXIGLAS® some 85 years ago, he achieved his international breakthrough. Thanks to the chemical foundation Röhm laid, a comprehensive product portfolio for a wide range of applications could be developed. Today, the company supplies its products to numerous growth sectors, such as the automotive, electronics, and construction industries. “That’s why we deliberately chose Röhm as our company name,” says Pack. While the company is maintaining a deep connection with its roots, the CEO has a firm eye on the future of the new Röhm.
Further strengthening the leading market positions
“It is our goal to keep driving the growth of our business and to further strengthen leading market positions through investments and targeted expansion. We have efficient structures, leading technologies, smart ideas for innovation, and – just as importantly – highly qualified employees and strong brands,” Pack emphasizes. “This self-confidence and a sense of optimism about beginning our new future are also reflected in the new logo and design of the Röhm brand.”
Investing in technologies and sites
The strong starting position of the Methacrylate Verbund also convinced Advent International. The new owner is one of the world’s largest private equity firms. With more than 30 successfully completed transactions over the course of three decades, Advent International has extensive experience in the chemicals industry.
“We see great potential to establish Röhm as a global market and technology leader in methacrylate chemicals,” says Ronald Ayles, Managing Partner and Global Head of Chemicals at Advent International. “In partnership with the management and employees, we will continue to develop Röhm through investments and expansion.” “With the support of Advent International we are now able to initiate important investments in our technologies and the expansion of our production facilities to further strengthen our leading market position,” says Pack.
A wide product range for diverse applications
With PLEXIGLAS®, Röhm GmbH’s product portfolio includes the world-famous brand for acrylic glass. PLEXIGLAS® is used in cars, airplane windows, screens or displays, as building glazing, noise protection, and in the advertising industry. The indispensable precursor for PLEXIGLAS® is methyl methacrylate. It is also used for the production of varnishes and paints, floor coatings, adhesives, and other materials, including dental products. Other examples of Röhm’s product range are methacrylate resins for the manufacture of industry floors and road markings, as well as cyanide for the leaching of precious metals in the mining industry.