Evonik Opens New Membrane Facility in Schorfling, Austria

Evonik Industries has opened another membrane production facility at its Schorfling plant, Austria. The new hollow fibre spinning plant mainly produces membrane modules for efficient nitrogen generation and for process gases. Nitrogen accounts for roughly 40 percent of the estimated global gas separation market, making it the second-largest market after natural gas. 

In Schorfling, Evonik currently produces gas separation modules predominantly for the biogas market and helium recovery. The new hollow fibre spinning plant doubles the existing production capacities for SEPURAN membranes. 

In total, Evonik has invested an amount in the mid double-digit million-euro range in the expansion of the Austrian plant. Besides the new hollow fibre spinning plant, additional facilities have been created for technology development, application technology, membrane testing and quality assurance. Over 30 new jobs have been created in production and administration. 

The company’s plant in Lenzing near the Schorfling site manufactures the source material polyimide, a high-performance polymer, which is spun and then further processed in Schorfling. The infrastructure in Lenzing is being correspondingly upgraded as part of site expansion. 

SEPURAN membranes are used for the highly efficient separation of gases such as methane, nitrogen, or hydrogen from gas mixtures. The innovative hollow fibre membranes made from high-performance plastic are at the heart of the separation process. They are resistant to high temperature and pressure and can be adjusted to customer requirements. The advantages of using Evonik’s membrane technology for gas separation are down to the more precise separation of the gases and the greater productivity this offers. 

The SEPURAN product family of Evonik’s resource efficiency segment includes membranes for biogas processing, on-site nitrogen generation as well as for helium and hydrogen recovery.

“The membrane business is an excellent example of how important innovations are for corporate success. Here, we are generating growth for Evonik with new products, and harnessing new markets in close cooperation with our customers,” said Dr Harald Schwager, deputy chairman of Evonik’s executive board.

“The Schorfling investment expands our possibilities for placing the membrane portfolio on a broader footing. Our aim is to offer our customers and partners custom-tailored membranes in the entire gas separation market,” added Dr Claus Rettig, chairman of the board of management of Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH.