Germany-based Evonik Industries officially commissioned on June 9, 2010 a new manufacturing plant for precious-metal-powder catalysts in Shanghai, China. The pharmaceuticals, fine-chemicals, and industrial-chemicals sectors use the catalysts made there to manufacture products such as vitamins, pharmaceutical agents, and intermediate products for polyurethane used, among other things, in car-seat foams and refrigerator insulation.
Evonik is the worldwide leader in precious-metal-powder catalysts. In addition to the Shanghai plant, the Group operates similar production sites in Hanau (Germany); Tsukuba (Japan); Americana (Brazil); and Calvert City (Kentucky, USA).

With this move, Evonik has now maximized its China services, which include everything from sampling to technical service, catalyst production, and precious metal management. “What this means,” explains Tim Busse, Director Asia, Catalysts Business Line, “is that we’re able to act much faster in supplying the types of catalysts our customers need to meet their specific demands.”

• Evonik, Essen, Germany