The company would not reveal to Plastics News Europe what tonnage it would be producing following expansion. Janusz Berger, Evonik's communications manager, told PNE: "In expanding capacity at the Changchun site, Evonik is responding to increasing global demand for high-performance polymers. Our global PEEK capacity is planned according to the current market situation for high-performance polymers.”
Matthias Kottenhahn, head of the high performance polymers business line said: “We’re very pleased to be able to participate in increasing global demand for PEEK products. The investment affirms our commitment to support our customers’ growth over the long term as well as to continually expand our product portfolio.”
Essen, Germany-based Evonik states it recently developed Easy Slide, a PEEK compound that offers abrasion resistance and low sliding friction, allowing production of ever smaller and more powerful structural elements such as vacuum pumps. The company also introduced its Vestakeep 5000 HCM (hot compression molding) grade which it says increases the production efficiency of customized PEEK seals and delivers good mechanical properties and performance for the oil and gas industry.
Evonik reported sales of 12.9 billion euro in 2014 and currently has production plants in 25 countries.