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Evonik to expand VESTOSINT polyamide production

17 Feb '16

2 min read

Evonik Industries, one of the leaders of speciality chemicals, plans to build a new production line for special polyamide 12 powder (PA12), named VESTOSINT, in Marl (Germany), under the Resource Efficiency Segment.

The new plant, which is scheduled to become operational in late 2017, will increase the Group's existing annual capacity for polyamide 12 powders by 50 per cent.

The powders are used, for example, to coat metals for household appliances such as dishwasher baskets, but also in automotive and medical technology production and as matting and structural agents in coatings. Evonik also anticipates significant increases in demand in tool-free production–especially in the 3D printing industry, according to a press release.

Due to their mechanical properties and chemical resistance as well as the high melting point of finished products, PA12 powders are particularly suitable for use in powder-based 3D printing processes such as selective laser sintering (SLS) and high-speed sintering (HSS). Fibre composite materials represent another growth field. Polyamide 12 powders are an ideal matrix for thermoplastic composites made of fibreglass, carbon fibres, and aramid or steel fibres. Applications can be found in the automotive and oil drilling industry, the sports sector and in orthopaedics.

Dr. Ralph Sven Kaufmann, chief operating officer of Evonik said, “The planned investment in the new polyamide 12 powder facility represents the next step in our growth strategy. Our intention is to solidify Evonik's leading position as a provider of polyamide 12-based high performance polymers and utilise the growth potential of new application areas.”

Dr. Claus Rettig, the chairman of the board of management of Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH said, “We project attractive market growth. The new production line in Marl will meet the growing demand for PA12 powder products in the long term to support our customers' growth.” (GK)

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