Press release
Products
October 1, 2012

Evonik to increase production capacity for 1-butene

  • 75,000 metric ton capacity increase at the Marl site 
  • Start-up scheduled for 2015

Evonik Industries plans to increase the production capacity for 1-butene at its Marl site by 75,000 metric tons per year, and start-up is scheduled for 2015. With a total capacity of 310,000 metric tons, Evonik would then be the world's top producer of 1-butene. Basic engineering for the expansion is largely finished. The overall project still needs to be approved by the relevant committees.

"With this planned capacity expansion in Marl, our aim is to support the growth plans of our customers in Europe and overseas. Worldwide demand for 1-butene is increasing by about five percent each year," said Dr. Rainer Fretzen, head of Evonik's Performance Intermediates Business Line.

In the production of high-quality polymers, such as polyethylene, 1-butene is used mainly as a co-monomer. It gives polyethylene several beneficial properties, such as improved tear strength for packaging films.

Evonik has many years of logistics expertise and a tight service network for shipping liquefied gases, such as 1-butene, and is thus able to ensure safe and smooth supplies to its customers in Europe and overseas.

The Group is a world leading producer of C4-based products, such as butadiene, MTBE, isobutene, 1-butene, INA (isononanol), 2-PH (2-propylheptanol), and DINP (diisononyl phthalate). Evonik already operates world-scale plants for 1-butene at its sites in Marl, Germany, and Antwerp, Belgium.

Company information

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders
in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms.

Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2011 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around €14.5 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.8 billion.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.