Evonik: New multi-layer coextrusion plant for PMMA flat sheets

Production plant launched for the world's widest-ever PMMA flat Sheets

Following mechanical completion of the facility, Evonik has announced the official start-up of its new multi-layer coextrusion plant for PMMA flat films. The first selected customers are now receiving samples.

In Weiterstadt, 20 kilometers south of Frankfurt, Germany, the company is now producing multi-layer films with a width of 2,700 mm – the largest available format worldwide for flat polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) films. Evonik has invested a double-digit million amount in the Weiterstadt site and has created a range of new jobs.

"With this plant, we are investing in a market segment that continues to show positive development and promises strong growth potential. We are also underlining our claim as an innovation leader in acrylic-based products," says Martin Krämer, head of the Acrylic Products Business Line. The new plant extends the currently installed capacities and, due to the format width and the multi layer coextrusion facility, it offers additional attractive potential.

"This investment is a systematic expansion of our portfolio of custom-tailored specialty sheets and it enables us to offer our customers new application opportunities," says Michael Enders, who is responsible for the film business at Acrylic Products.

In particular, the manufacturers of facade materials will benefit from the new plant. Markets with above average growth, such as countries in Asia, are looking for special quality features to cope with often extreme weather conditions.

"Our base PMMA material, supplemented with one or more additional functional layers, is the ideal material for such application cases. In more moderate climate zones, our products have already been used successfully for many years. With the coextruded PMMA films, we are creating access to new markets for our customers and are enabling more growth," Enders points out.

PMMA films are also used in microfluidic devices, in window profile wrapping and in the graphics industry. These application areas also stand to benefit from the newly installed plant as here, too, the demand for exceptionally durable products continues to grow.

About the company

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 36,000 employees. In fiscal 2017, the enterprise generated sales of €14.4 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.36 billion.