Evonik (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) has invested €52 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 United States. “The investment in Essen strengthens our global production network and further enhances our ability to serve customers reliably around the world,” explains Roberto Vila-Keller, 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 optimizes logistics infrastructure, enabling a more efficient production: A new 150-meter 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. “At a time when industrial investment is more important than ever, projects of this scale send a strong signal for Essen’s economy and the wider region,” says Thomas Kufen, Mayor of Essen. “They secure high-quality jobs, strengthen competitiveness and demonstrate the international attractiveness of our city as an industrial hub.”
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, Essen Goldschmidtstrasse is positioned as a center of excellence for customer-specific formulations.