Expansions: Nouryon to produce MMAO catalyst activator in China; Evonik invests EUR52 mn in silicone additives expansion in Germany

Specialty chemicals firm Nouryon says it is adding new production of its modified methylaluminoxane, or MMAO, in Jiaxing, China, to meet growing demand for the high-performance plastics used in solar panels and cars. The company will begin producing MMAO, the catalyst activator essential to making these plastics, at its existing Jiaxing site to serve customers in China and beyond. Production is planned to begin in the first half of 2028.

MMAO is an aluminium-based compound that activates the catalysts used to make polyolefin elastomers (POE), the strong, flexible plastics used in solar panels and lightweight auto parts, and alpha-olefins, another input for POE. Producing MMAO in China, a major manufacturing hub for these materials, will give Nouryon’s customers a closer, more reliable source.

“Solar power and lighter, more efficient cars are driving demand for the durable plastics that make them possible, and MMAO is critical to making those plastics,” said Alain Rynwalt, senior vice president of Performance Materials at Nouryon. “By producing at Jiaxing, we put a steady supply right where the industry is growing and help our customers scale with confidence.”

Nouryon currently produces MMAO at one of its facilities in the U.S. Nouryon's MMAO dissolves easily in production solvents and stays stable in storage, making it practical at industrial scale. Its quality determines how efficiently the catalysts run and how consistent the final plastic is.

Within Nouryon’s Performance Materials segment, MMAO is part of the Polymer Specialties business unit that sells specialised solutions for polymer production.

In other news, German chemical firm Evonik says it has invested EUR52 million in expanding its silicone platform at the Essen Goldschmidtstrasse site in Germany. The investment included the construction of a new production plant and a large tank farm. The new facility increases production capacity for organomodified silicones, a key product group within Evonik’s international silicone network. These tailored silicone additives are used in applications including polyurethane foams for insulation materials, mattresses or automotive seating, as well as in adhesives, coatings and personal care products.

“This expansion strengthens our silicone production platform, enhancing supply chain resilience and creating a strong foundation for profitable growth,” says Lauren Kjeldsen, the Evonik Management Board member responsible for the Custom Solutions segment, to which the business belongs. “This latest investment highlights the important role that our innovative German sites play in the success of our global operations.”

As a key production site for the silicone platform, Essen Goldschmidtstrasse is closely linked with other sites in Geesthacht, Obernburg and Wittenburg in Germany, Pandino in Italy, Shanghai in China and Hopewell, Virginia in the US.

“The investment in Essen strengthens our global production network and further enhances our ability to serve customers reliably around the world,” explains Roberto VilaKeller, head of the responsible Business Line Interface & Polyurethane Additives. “It significantly expands our production capabilities, reduces potential bottlenecks and creates opportunities for future growth in attractive markets.”

The new facility improves the resilience of the international production network by reducing the need to transport intermediates and finished products between sites.

The investment optimises logistics infrastructure, enabling a more efficient production: A new 150-m pipe bridge now connects four production units and 15 manufacturing assets to the new tank farm. Five stainless-steel storage tanks, the tallest measuring 24 meters, provide substantial storage capacity for key raw materials. As a result, production processes are more stable, supply chains are more resilient and dependence on short-term deliveries is reduced. The new tank farm has expanded the Essen site from 32 to 35 hectares.

The project was carried out while the site remained fully operational and despite limited space, with around 80 Evonik employees and more than 230 contractors from 25 partner companies contributing to its successful completion. “

The strategic importance of Essen Goldschmidtstrasse is also reflected by its role in Evonik’s recently developed long-term plans. The company has defined a clear profile for each of the six major production sites (Essen Goldschmidtstrasse, Marl, Wesseling, Darmstadt/Weiterstadt, Rheinfelden and Hanau), which serve as guidelines for their future development. Under this framework, it says Essen Goldschmidtstrasse is positioned for customer-specific formulations. 

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