Evonik Expands POLYVEST® HT Polybutadiene Plant in Marl, Germany

Evonik, a leading chemical company, has announced the expansion and upgrade of its POLYVEST® HT polybutadiene plant in Marl, Germany. POLYVEST® HT is a liquid hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene produced through free radical polymerization. With this expansion, Evonik aims to meet the increasing demand for high-quality polyurethane adhesives used in various industries. This article provides an overview of Evonik's expansion plans and the significance of POLYVEST® HT in different applications.

Expansion and Investment:
Evonik is investing millions of euros in the expansion and upgrade of the POLYVEST® HT polybutadiene plant in Marl, Germany. The project is expected to increase production capacity and is scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2024.

Enhancing Global Services:
Dr. Stefan Pfaffenbach, the head of the business unit, emphasized Evonik's commitment to providing reliable services to customers worldwide through this expansion. In a competitive market, Evonik aims to strengthen its position as a cost and innovation leader.

Expertise and Sensitivity:
The Marl polybutadiene plant has a decade of experience in producing polybutadiene and specialty acrylic esters. Dr. Jürgen Herwig, responsible for the polybutadiene and specialty acrylic esters product line, highlights the importance of expertise and sensitivity when dealing with dual-use products like polybutadiene in collaboration with customers and authorities. Leveraging their colleagues' knowledge, Evonik aims to enhance its marketing capabilities for this specialized product.

Integrated Production and Supply Chain:
The production process follows a backward integration approach, where raw materials such as butadiene are produced directly at the Marl plant, with hydrogen peroxide supplied by the Evonik Group. This ensures a secure supply of raw materials for POLYVEST® production. Additionally, Evonik's application technology, research and development teams are located in Marl, enabling seamless integration from laboratory development and testing to production.

Applications and Advantages of POLYVEST® HT:

POLYVEST® HT serves as a versatile polyol component in various adhesive and sealant applications. Its unique properties, including excellent mechanical performance, water resistance, acid and alkali resistance, abrasion resistance, low-temperature flexibility, and excellent electrical insulation, make it highly desirable. POLYVEST® HT-A, in particular, finds application in the aerospace industry.

Advantages of Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene:
Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, also known as HTPB or HT polybutadiene, is a liquid prepolymer derived from butadiene and hydrogen peroxide through free radical polymerization. It possesses properties similar to natural rubber and butyl rubber, exhibiting strong hydrophobicity. Cured forms of HTPB offer exceptional mechanical properties, transparency, excellent resistance to hydrolysis, superior electrical insulation, and resistance to acids and alkalis. It also demonstrates good adhesion to nonpolar and low-polarity materials, excellent gas impermeability, and low moisture transmission rates.

Diverse Applications and Future Prospects:
HTPB has traditionally been used in the manufacture of solid propellant adhesives for rocket motors. However, it has found increasing applications in the production of castable polyurethane elastomers, RIM polyurethane products, and CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers) polyurethane materials for various industries. Its applications span automotive and aircraft tire structure rubber products, construction materials, footwear materials, special foam plastics, coatings, adhesives, encapsulants, electrical insulation packaging materials, waterproofing and corrosion-resistant materials, underwater sealing materials, sports tracks, wear-resistant conveyor belts, and modification of other rubbers and epoxy resins. While liquid rubbers are relatively new, further advancements are needed in terms of strength and resistance to internal heating at high speeds. Nevertheless, HTPB's excellent electrical properties, water and corrosion resistance, and dimensional stability make it ideal for the production of complex-shaped insulation materials.

Evonik's expansion and upgrade of the POLYVEST® HT polybutadiene plant in Marl, Germany, demonstrate the company's commitment to meeting the global market demand for high-quality polyurethane adhesives. With its superior properties and versatile applications, POLYVEST® HT is expected to contribute to advancements in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and coatings. The investment in expanding production capacity reflects Evonik's dedication to maintaining its position as an industry leader in cost-effectiveness and innovation.