Press release
Products
July 23, 2012

Evonik expands production of crosslinking boosters in Wesseling

  • Capacity expansion for TAC and TAICROS®
  • Production scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2013
  • Photovoltaics and rising quality standards as growth drivers
  • Thirteen new jobs

In the products triallyl cyanurate (TAC) and triallyl isocyanurate (TAICROS®), Evonik offers two high-quality crosslinking boosters. Given the planned expansion of production capacities in Wesseling at the end of 2013, it will be possible to produce TAC and TAICROS® in significantly larger quantities. "For Evonik the expansion of the plant is a logical response to rising market demand," says Matthias Hau, head of Evonik's Agrochemicals & Polymer Additives Business Line. This venture is expected to create 13 new jobs; the investment involved is in the low double-digit million euro range.

The highly active crosslinking additives TAC and TAICROS® are used in plastics and rubber. Important growth drivers here are the growth of the global photovoltaics market and the increasingly stringent quality requirements of producers of photovoltaic modules. Silicon cells are laminated in transparent plastic films. Crosslinking additives improve the quality of the encapsulation films that protect the photovoltaic cells, particularly in regard to aging and color stability, while increasing the transparency of the films. They thus ensure that performance is maintained in the long term and increase the life of the solar modules.

The photovoltaics industry in particular requires high-quality customized products. The crosslinking boosters TAC and TAICROS® play an important role here because they also reduce the cure time of the EVA encapsulation film, thus increasing the efficiency of the production process.

TAC and TAICROS® satisfy the strictest quality requirements such as those placed on raw materials particularly in the photovoltaic industry and in automotive and aircraft construction.

In research and development, Evonik works continuously with customers in the plastics industry on innovative new developments, the yardstick for new solutions being set by individual specifications and the highest standards.

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.