Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany) has officially opened its first state-of-theart fumed alumina production facility “Alu5” in Yokkaichi, Japan, which marks a major step forward in the company’s strategy to serve the Asian market with advanced aluminum oxide-based solutions. This mid-double-digit million Euro investment underscores Evonik’s commitment to innovation, supply security, sustainability, and customer proximity in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
“The launch of our Alu5 plant is more than just another capacity expansion – it’s a strategic move to bring our high-performance aluminum oxide products closer to our customers in Asia”, says Emmanuel Auer, Head of Evonik’s Smart Effects business line. Elias Lacerda, Head of Evonik’s Coatings Additives business line adds: “From battery technologies to coatings, we’re enabling a faster, more efficient access to the materials that power those industries today and tomorrow.”
The new facility will manufacture AEROXIDE®, an advanced fumed aluminum oxide solution renowned for its exceptional properties for a variety of applications. AEROXIDE® is tailored for ultra-thin coating technology and does significantly enhance performance and durability for value chains ranging from electric mobility, consumer electronics to sustainable powder coatings. The product not only enhances efficiency and longevity, but also exemplifies sustainability by promoting durable and resourceefficient solutions.
Claus Rettig, President of Evonik Asia Pacific, emphasizes the plant’s role in regional growth: “Alu5 is a cornerstone of our Asia growth strategy. By manufacturing locally, we’re not only reducing lead times and carbon footprint – we’re also reinforcing our commitment to security of supply, sustainable innovation and longterm partnerships in the region.”
Equipped with the latest production technology, the Alu5 plant sets new standards for quality, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The results of constructing this facility represent the collaborative efforts between the two Evonik segments -Custom Solutions (including Coating Additives business line) and Advanced Technology (including Smart Effects business line) – underlining the benefit of having both under one roof. Furthermore, the initiative reflects Evonik’s broader vision to drive sustainable growth in specialty chemicals while addressing the evolving needs of industries transitioning to cleaner, smarter solutions. By meeting the growing demand for innovative, long-lasting products across multiple markets, both segments are strengthening Evonik’s competitive edge and contributing to a more sustainable future.