MOSCOW (MRC) -- Evonik and AkzoNobel broke ground in January 15, 2016, to officially start the construction of the new membrane electrolysis plant in Ibbenburen, said the company on its site.
The new facility is due to come on stream by the fourth quarter of 2017, with an annual nameplate capacity of around 130,000 metric tons of potassium hydroxide solution and approximately 82,000 metric tons of chlorine. The two chemical companies established a production joint venture in June 2015 for the manufacture of chlorine and potassium hydroxide solution at the AkzoNobel site in Ibbenburen.
"This joint venture will secure our future position in the potassium derivatives business. We have found an efficient and sustainable solution to keep on delivering for our customers," remarked Ralph Sven Kaufmann, Member of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries AG and Chief Operating Officer, at a ceremony held in the presence of both companies’ employees, customers, suppliers, and municipal representatives from Ibbenburen.
"The state-of-the-art plant we are building will set a new benchmark for the production of chlorine and potassium hydroxide solution," noted Werner Fuhrmann, member of AkzoNobel’s Executive Committee responsible for Specialty Chemicals. "It will improve the ecological footprint of every ton of chlorine we produce in Ibbenburen by 25 to 30 percent. This will result in less energy use and fewer CO2 emissions, while there will also be clear benefits for the local chemical cluster."
After the completion of the membrane electrolysis, Evonik will take the new plant’s potassium hydroxide solution for commercialization and processing at its own site in Lulsdorf, where it processes potassium hydroxide solution into potassium carbonate (potash). AkzoNobel will commercialize the chlorine and hydrogen produced as a result of electrolysis at the new plant, or will process these products directly at the Ibbenburen site. All previous production of chlorine, potassium hydroxide and caustic lye using mercury-based amalgam electrolysis has to be discontinued by the end of 2017 due to legislative requirements.
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.
Akzo Nobel N.V., trading as AkzoNobel, is a Dutch multinational, active in the fields of decorative paints, performance coatings and specialty chemicals. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the company has activities in more than 80 countries, and employs approximately 55,000 people.
MRC