Evonik Industries to expand capacities in Asia

Evonik Industries is set to expand production capacities for PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) moulding compounds in Asia up into the second half of 2011. "We're registering remarkable growth rates for our PMMA business in Asia," explained Dr. Wolfgang P鰂fel, who manages the Molding Compounds Product Line in Evonik Industries' Performance Polymers Business Unit, "so we'll be expanding capacities significantly at both of our sites in China and Taiwan." Evonik Industries currently operates two plants in Asia that produce PMMA moulding compounds: one in southern Shanghai, China, and a second plant in Taichung, Taiwan. The Taichung plant, launched in 2007 has produced 40 kilotonnes of Plexiglas moulding compounds for light guide panels used in flat-screen monitors, and demand for these monitors has risen significantly, particularly in Asia. That is why the plan is to increase capacities by an additional 20 kilotonnes a year. Still in its first development stage, the PMMA plant in Shanghai produces 18 kilotonnes a year. The expanded plant in Taichung would go on stream in the second quarter of 2011, and the one in Shanghai is scheduled to start in the second half of 2011. www.evonik.comNike Sportswear