Press release
VESTAMID
May 27, 2010

Evonik Industries responds to strong demand for polyamide 12 by expanding laurolactam in Marl

Essen, Germany-based Evonik Industries plans to expand laurolactam production capacities significantly at its Marl site. The extra capacities are expected to be available by the fourth quarter of 2010. Laurolactam is the starting material for the polymer polyamide 12.

“We’re recording persistently high demand for our polyamide business,” explains Dr. Joachim Leluschko, the head of Evonik’s High Performance Polymers Business Line. “That’s why we’ll be further substantial expanding capacities for laurolactam production in Marl.” The move sees Evonik consolidating its globally leading position on the market for polyamide 12 and acting as a reliable partner to secure supplies to its customers into the future.

The High Performance Polymers Business Line markets polyamide 12 as VESTAMID®, an engineering material, and VESTOSINT® powder. It supplies these products to all key markets. At the core, what this business line does is manufacture products specially geared to demand and customer needs. A global sales network, service centers in Europe, America, and Asia, not to mention comprehensive technical service, all serve to ensure the global availability of its high-performance polymers, semi-finished products, and professional technical support.

About Evonik

Evonik Industries is the creative industrial group from Germany. In our core business of specialty chemicals, we are a global leader. In addition, Evonik is an expert in power generation from hard coal and renewable energies, and one of the largest private residential real estate companies in Germany. Our company’s performance is shaped by creativity, specialization, continuous self-renewal, and reliability.
Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In its fiscal year 2009 about 39,000 employees generated sales of about €13.1 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA) of about €2.0 billion.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.