Röhm expands PMMA production to meet global demand

Röhm firmly believes that PLEXIGLAS molding compounds will remain an essential material for numerous industries in future, offering ideal solutions for new requirements and trends. Despite the difficult conditions the chemical industry in general faces as a result of global crises, the company remains committed to its ambitious investment programs for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) production.

With production capacity hugely increased worldwide and a broad portfolio of PMMA special molding compounds under the PLEXIGLAS, PLEXIMID and CYROLITE brands, the Molding Compounds business unit is in a very strong position and will be showcasing its work at Fakuma, the international trade fair for plastic processing, in Friedrichshafen from October 15 to 19, 2024.

Material for sustainable product design

PLEXIGLAS is versatile and durable. Established on the market for more than 90 years, it continues to enable pioneering developments in technology, function and design. At the same time, it caters to the rising demand for resource-saving and recycled materials, and is ideal for sustainable product design. “The PLEXIGLAS molding compounds product portfolio is being constantly developed to meet the needs of the market,” comments Siamak Djafarian, head of the Molding Compounds business unit. The most recent addition is PLEXIGLAS proTerra molding compounds, which combine a reduced carbon footprint with the proven performance of the brand PMMA.

High demand for PLEXIGLAS molding compounds in the automotive industry

In recent years, Röhm has invested massively in expanded capacity, state-of-the-art production facilities and innovation centers on three continents. This increased production volume is predominantly to serve the constant rise in demand for PLEXIGLAS molding compounds in the automotive industry. In addition, Röhm’s special molding compounds are also in demand in other growth sectors, such as construction, lighting and medical technology.

Expanded production capacity in key market regions

At its largest global production site for PLEXIGLAS molding compounds in Worms, Germany, the company added a new production line in February 2024, as well as an additional compounding facility for colored PMMA products. The new facility uses a more energy-efficient production process that significantly reduces the carbon footprint of molding compound production. After all, sustainability is integral to Röhm’s business strategy.

Mid-2024 also saw Röhm significantly increase its production capacity at its Wallingford plant in Connecticut, USA, by converting the existing production line to enable faster delivery to customers. The Wallingford plant employs more than 50 people and operates multiple production lines producing special PMMA molding compounds. It is also an important production site for CYROLITE, a high-quality, transparent, acrylate-based plastic that is predominantly used in medical technology. In China, too, Röhm has continued to enhance its market position by expanding the capacity of its PMMA facility in Shanghai and by extending the compounding facility.

Unique network structure for MMA and PMMA

Through investments in cutting-edge production technology, capacity expansion and innovation, Röhm and its Molding Compounds business unit are more than ready for the future. “We are the only global manufacturer of MMA and PMMA with production facilities with downstream compounding in the three key regions of Asia, Europe and North America. That makes Röhm a leading manufacturer of PMMA molding compounds worldwide. Our products, our delivery reliability with short delivery routes, and our on-site technical service make us a partner that customers all over the world can trust,” says Djafarian emphatically.

On the way to becoming the leading Methacrylate Verbund

Röhm has set itself the goal of becoming the world’s leading Methacrylate Verbund. As part of this, the company has invested in its own state-of-the-art research and innovation centers in all three regions. Another milestone on this journey is the construction of a new production facility for methyl methacrylate (MMA) in Bay City (Texas, USA), with technical completion expected shortly. The innovative LiMA technology developed by Röhm guarantees a high production yield with low energy consumption and reduced waste water. This reduces the products’ carbon footprint significantly, thus supporting the sustainability goals of the company’s customers. The facility will produce 250,000 tons of MMA per year. MMA is an essential primary product in the production of PLEXIGLAS and many other Röhm products.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)