Evonik to produce catalysts in China
Germany-based Evonik Industries has started building a catalyst manufacturing plant, to produce precious metal powder catalysts, in Shanghai. The plant will start operation in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Germany-based Evonik Industries has started building a catalyst manufacturing plant, to produce precious metal powder catalysts, in Shanghai. The plant will start operation in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Precious metal powder catalysts are used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, where high selectivity, activity and filterability are demanded.
Evonik, a leader in precious metal powder catalysts, currently has manufacturing facilities at four locations at Hanau (Germany); Tsukuba (Japan); Americana (Brazil); and Calvert City (Kentucky, US).
The new plant will enable Evonik to further enhance its global activities. The company said a key advantage of the Shanghai site is its proximity to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, where a number of pharmaceutical companies are located. The pharmaceutical industry is currently growing at more than 15% annually in China.
Dr Hans-Josef Ritzert, head of Evonik Industries" catalysts business, said: "We will be able to supply customers directly in China with our high-quality precious metal catalysts from the new plant. This will allow us to serve our global customers and grow with them in China, and further expand our worldwide leading position."
Evonik will also offer precious metal recycling in China through its existing partnership with Heraeus.
Evonik employs 4,200 people in China, and generated sales of Euro 754m in the region (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau) in 2007, a 28% increase over the previous year. In Shanghai, Evonik already employs more than 500 people in production, research and development, sales, marketing and service functions.
