Evonik begins construction on alkoxides plant in Singapore

Photo: Evonik Corp.

Evonik Corp. has begun construction of a new production plant for alkoxides in Southeast Asia.

The investment, in the mid double-digit million-euro range, will enhance supply security for customers in the region and further strengthen the company’s global alkoxides business.

The company is expanding its production capabilities in response to growing demand for alkoxide catalysts, which are primarily used in biodiesel production and synthesis applications in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.

In the future, alkoxide catalysts will also play a bigger role in the circular economy through their use in the chemical recycling of PET plastics.

“Asia Pacific is a key region for Evonik catalysts and Southeast Asia plays an important role in our growth journey,” said Sanjeev Taneja, senior vice president and general manager of Evonik’s catalyst business line.

Taneja added that this investment once again underlines Evonik’s commitment to its customer-centric “think global, act local” approach towards increased customer satisfaction and supply reliability.

The investment is seen as a critical step in Evonik’s strategy to expand its position as one of the largest alkoxide manufacturers in the world.

“We already have leading production facilities in Europe, North America and South America,” said Alexander Weber, global head of Evonik’s alkoxides product line. “Asia is the missing piece in a global supply network to regionally serve all relevant markets.”

The new plant will be a modern facility with state-of-the-art technology aiming for zero scopes 1 and 2 carbon emissions, and it will be located at Evonik’s site on Jurong Island, Singapore.

“From this strategic location, we can satisfy the growing demand for alkoxides in this very dynamic region and further boost our position as a reliable catalysts partner,” said Hu Song, Evonik’s alkoxides business director in the Asia-Pacific region. “With energy-efficient and sustainable production, Evonik contributes to the ‘Sustainable Jurong Island Strategy’ and supports customers in reducing their carbon footprint.”

Following the completion of conceptual and basic engineering, the project is now entering the construction phase, with the alkoxides plant scheduled to become operational by the end of 2024.

Evonik’s global alkoxides-supply network and other production sites around the world include Rosario, Argentina; Mobile, Alabama (U.S.); and Lülsdorf, Germany.

Evonik first announced its decision to move forward with the new alkoxides plant in Southeast Asia in October 2021.