Evonik Expands its Portfolio to Offer Phthalate-free, Bio-based Plasticizers

Essen -- Evonik plans to launch a new generation of PVC plasticizers. Alongside the strategic portfolio expansion, the company will also develop a new brand of products. With this expansion of its product lines, Evonik is broadening its range of sustainable plasticizers.

Production of the phthalate-free plasticizer 1,2-Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester is slated to begin in the second half of 2013. An annual 40,000 metric tons will be produced in Marl. Evonik began building the production facilities at the Marl Chemical Park this summer. Total investment in the project is in the double-digit million Euro range.

Consistent research will successively add additional innovative products to the new generation of plasticizers. These plans include the launch of bio-based plasticizers.

"By expanding our portfolio to include phthalate-free plasticizers, were ideally supplementing our existing and proven VESTINOL product family," explains Dr. Rainer Fretzen, head of Evoniks Performance Intermediates Business Line. "With our new plasticizers, our customers will soon be able to choose the plasticizers that meet their exact requirements from an even wider range of products."

Evoniks plasticizers are primarily used in the plastics industry, as well as in the automotive and construction industries.

About Evonik

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evoniks corporate strategy. 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 2011 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around ?4.5 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about ?.8 billion.