Evonik invests in new German research centre

ERJ staff report (TP)

Essen, Germany – Evonik Industries is investing in the “double-digit-million euro range” in a new research centre at its Rheinfelden site in Germany.

Starting at the beginning of 2016, research into silanes will be carried out in “modern laboratories” in the four-storey building.

Application engineering, analytics, and quality management will also be located in the new centre in the future. The centre fits in with Evonik’s integrated silane chemical production network in Rheinfelden, which encompasses research, development, application technology, and production.

The ground-breaking ceremony took place on 30 June and eventually the new centre will house up to 70 employees within an area of around 3,500 square metres.

Evonik produces silanes at its sites in Rheinfelden (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), Rizhao (China), Mobile (US), and Weston (US). The specialty chemical company also operates laboratories for application technology support and regionally specialised research for silanes in China, India, Germany, and the US. Evonik’s silane portfolio comprises chlorosilanes and organo-functional silanes with an overall annual capacity of 300,000 tonnes.