Röhm Expands China PMMA Capacity

06.01.2022 - Röhm has announced plans to spend a double-digit million euro sum to expand capacity in China for its Plexiglas polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) molding compounds. The company said the dynamic economic development of Asia’s automotive and lighting industries were key drivers for the expansion at its site in Shanghai, which will go on stream in the second quarter of 2023.

The project follows an announcement last November for another Plexiglas expansion in Worms, Germany, which is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2023. As well as increasing capacity, the project will also optimize production through the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

Chief operating officer Hans-Peter Hauck said the global capacity expansion “will enable us to further increase delivery reliability and flexibility for the benefit of our customers worldwide.”

Last June, Röhm also revealed that it was starting detailed engineering and construction of a plant in Bay City, Texas, USA to produce PMMA feedstock, methyl methacrylate (MMA). The 250,000 t/y plant, to be built on OQ Chemicals’ site, will deploy Röhm’s newly developed LiMA technology. Mechanical completion is expected in 2023.

The UK’s Wood is providing engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist