MOSCOW (MRC) -- Evonik Industries and AkzoNobel have entered into negotiations to build a membrane electrolysis facility at AkzoNobel's site in Ibbenburen (Germany), as per Evonik's press release.
The objective of the negotiations is to establish a joint venture for the new construction and shared operation of an electrolysis facility for potassium hydroxide solution and chlorine. The negotiations of the two companies are expected to be finalized by the end of 2014.
The law stipulates that the production of potassium hydroxide solutions with the current mercury electrolysis technology must be phased out by 2018. The new membrane electrolysis will replace this procedure with an environmentally-friendly and sustainable method.
"This investment would allow us to reliably supply our customers with our potassium hydroxide solutions in the long term", explained Gregor Hetzke, Head of Evonik's Advanced Intermediates Business Unit. "At the same time, it would make an important contribution to the environmentally-friendly and sustainable production of potassium hydroxide solutions."
The membrane electrolysis facility in Ibbenburen is to have a nominal annual capacity of approximately 130,000 metric tons of potassium hydroxide solution and a nominal annual capacity of approximately 82,000 metric tons of chlorine. After the startup of production, which is projected for the third quarter of 2017, AkzoNobel would take over the marketing of chlorine and hydrogen or process the substances directly at the Ibbenburen site. Meanwhile, Evonik would take over the marketing and further processing of potassium hydroxide solution at its Lulsdorf site, where Evonik processes potassium hydroxide solution into potassium carbonate.
As informed previoulsy, Essen-based Evonik Industriesis making an investment in the double-digit-million euro range in a new research center at the Rheinfelden site. Starting at the beginning of 2016, research into silanes will be carried out in modern laboratories in the four-story building. Silanes are used in the electronics industry, in the tire industry, for the production of adhesives and sealants as well as plastics, and in the construction industry.
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. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2013 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around EUR12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about EUR2.0 billion.
MRC