The Methacrylates Business Line of Evonik Cyro LLC has commenced operation of an additional line for compounding its ACRYLITE® polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) at its site in Osceola, Ark. The expansion nearly doubles the compounding capacity of the specialty molding compounds produced at this site. The Business Line is the only PMMA manufacturer in the world that has fully integrated MMA/PMMA production networks with downstream compounding in the Americas, Europe, and Asia and intends to build on that strength by offering locally produced specialty molding compound products in each region.
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Ribbon is cut at Evonik’s Osceola, Ark., site to announce the opening of its new compounding line |
The start-up of this new compounding line demonstrates the commitment of the Molding Compounds business to supporting the increasing demand in the Americas region for specialty acrylic-based compounds such as impact modified, piano black or diffusion grades," says Siamak Djafarian, head of Molding Compounds Product Line within Evonik’s Performance Materials Segment. "This new line will support the global approach of Molding Compounds with a regional reach which is essential in key industries such as Automotive and Lighting."
"Demand for ACRYLITE® molding compounds continues to grow in the U.S., Mexico, and South America," adds Jack Chenault, head of the Americas region for the Performance Materials Segment. "We want to be able to deliver our high-quality products and services to our customers in the most competitive and reliable way and help them meet their growing needs. With this additional compounding line, we are investing in a market that continues to show positive development and promises strong growth potential."
Evonik announced in January 2018 its plans to add the additional compounding line. "We are excited about the addition of this new line and the capacity it brings for our customers,” said Jim Bunn, plant manager at the Osceola site. "Our team worked hard to bring this project to fruition in a safe and timely manner, and our fully integrated MMA/PMMA production networks are now even stronger."
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First production is run on the new compounding line at Evonik’s Osceola, Ark., site |
ACRYLITE® molding compounds show convincing performance in all applications where the foremost requirements are unparalleled weather resistance, colorfastness, high brilliance and transparency as well as hardness and abrasion resistance. In cooperation with specialists from the plastics industry and their suppliers, Product Line Molding Compounds develops new ACRYLITE® products for innovative applications.
Evonik is a worldwide manufacturer of PMMA products sold under the PLEXIGLAS® and PLEXIMID® trademarks on the European, Asian, African and Australian continents and under the ACRYLITE® and ACRYMID® trademarks in the Americas.
About Evonik
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-orientated innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-oriented corporate culture form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. 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.
About Performance Materials
The Performance Materials Segment is managed by Evonik Performance Materials GmbH. The segment focuses its global activities on developing and manufacturing polymer materials and intermediates, especially for use in agriculture and in the rubber and plastics industry. In 2017, the segment’s roughly 4,400 employees generated sales about €3.8 billion.
