Due to the growing demand for lightweight construction materials for special applications, Evonik (Hopewell, Virginia, USA) is expanding production of ROHACELL high-performance rigid closed-cell foams at its plant in Mobile, Alabama, USA. The production expansion plan is completed in the fourth quarter of 2020. The expansion of ROHACELL's production at Mobile includes the construction of additional production workshops, and all transportation logistics will be consolidated into the new plant.
The company said that through this investment, it will greatly increase the production capacity of high temperature resistant polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam in North America.
"The investment in Mobile has consolidated our global position as a reliable partner and solution provider of high-performance, lightweight PMI rigid foams, and has enabled us to meet the growing demand in North America for a long time," Evonik ’s high in the Americas Christina Walkosak, Head of Performance Polymers Business Line, said.
Evonik`s PMI foam plant in Mobile, Alabama, opened for the first time in November 2008.
Walkosak said: "For many years, we have seen that the global demand for high-performance foam has been high, especially from the aerospace industry and the electronics market, and we are responding to the market by expanding production capacity accordingly." Two years ago, Evonik increased ROHACELL production in Germany by 20%. "Now, we will significantly increase our production in North America to be able to properly support the growth of our customers.
ROHACELL is a rigid structural foam of polymethacrylimide, which is used in the design and production of sandwich structures in aviation, automobiles, ships, sporting goods, electronics and medical technology. Lightweight foam can withstand high temperature and high pressure, making it a suitable core material solution for composite structures.