Evonik Expands Laurolactam Capacity in Marl

Essen, Germany-based Evonik Industries AG will invest a two-digit million euro figure to expand laurolactam production capacity significantly at its Marl site. The new capacity should be available in the second half of 2009. Plans for a further capacity expansion have already begun. Laurolactam is the starting material for the polymer polyamide 12, which is enjoying steadily growing demand in new markets.

“This investment project gives us what we need to further bolster our globally leading market position in polyamide 12,” says Dr. Klaus Engel, member of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries responsible for the Chemicals Business Area.

The High Performance Polymers Business Line markets polyamide 12 as a structural material under the brand name VESTAMID® and as a powder under the name VESTOSINT®. Demand for both products has been rising steadily over the last few years. “The VESTAMID® success story was born forty-five years ago; since then, we've been continually developing the product and increasing production capacity,” recalls Dr. Joachim Leluschko, who heads the business line. “Having reached the global number-one position in polyamide line systems for cars, we're now expanding our business to include large-diameter pipes.”

VESTAMID® is the first polyamide 12 to receive Lloyd’s Register approval for production of flexible risers for transporting offshore production and injection fluids. Successful long-term trials on VESTAMID® gas pipes are now making it possible to exploit the advantages of plastic up to a pressure range of 20 bar in gas distribution systems. These plastic pipes can thus replace steel pipes. The relining sector for piping repairs also has high market potential.