K2013: Evonik would “consider” a second CDT plant

Evonik confirmed that it is once again fully supplying markets with polyamide 12 after the explosion that caused a severe shortage in 2012 and that it is “considering” a second plant for the production of the CDT feedstock. 

Speaking at a press event at K 2013, Dr Dahai Yu of the company’s Executive Board said that he was aware of the company’s responsibility as a major supplier of CDT and a second plant would ensure supply chain security should there ever be another reason for a sudden stoppage of production.

“We managed to rebuild our Essen facility within six months after the explosion, which is very quick, and we are now fully supplying to our customers,” Dr Yu commented.

CDT is a raw material for the production of high quality plastic, primarily polyamide 12, which amongst other applications is used in the automotive industry.

Incidentally, K 2013 marks 50 years since the introduction of polyamide 12, which was named ‘Vestamid’, to a world audience at the plastics tradeshow in 1963. 

The first commercial facility for the continuous production of Vestamid became operational in 2000 and Evonik has revealed it is now started basic planning in Singapore on a second plant, which is to be fully back-integrated to butadiene and will possibly come on stream in 2016.

Evonik said it is continuing to innovate with applications using Vestamid, including films for solar cells a number of high-value products in a variety of sectors.

Also at K 2013, the company revealed it generated about €3 billion with its products in the plastics market in 2012, continuing to grow at above-average rate. It said roughly two thirds of this is generated in the construction segment and general industries, including additives.