ESSEN, Germany - Evonik Industries has opened an integrated production complex for isophorone and isophorone diamine in Shanghai, China. The company has invested over €100 million in the facilities, which will have an annual output capacity of 50,000 metric tons. Construction in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park took less than two years.

Evonik primarily plans to use the output of the new plants to serve customers in the coatings, construction, adhesives and composite industries in Asia.

"The new plant continues our successful growth story in isophorone chemistry. We are now represented in the three major economic zones, Europe, NAFTA and Asia, with fully backwards integrated production facilities to tap into attractive new growth opportunities," said Patrik Wohlhauser, Member of the Evonik Industries Executive Board and Chief Operating Officer.

In addition to the new production complex, Evonik built an application technology service center with state-of-the-art laboratories at the Xinzhuang site in Shanghai. The custom-tailored isophorone solutions will strengthen the competitiveness of Asian customers.

According to Evonik, the global market for isophorone and its derivatives are growing at a stronger annual rate than global gross domestic product, with Asia showing above-average growth. Growth is projected in the market for environmentally friendly coating technologies, such as UV-curing systems or solvent-free powder coatings.

Evonik markets its isophorone products under the VESTAMIN^®, VESTANAT^®, VESTAGON^® and VESTASOL^® brand names.