The geographic expansions strengthen Evonik’s presence in two growth pharmaceutical manufacturing markets. Locating closer to these businesses will allow Evonik to respond more quickly to client demands and better support recovery of precious metals from China and India.
Expansion in China has been achieved by opening a manufacturing plant for precious metal powder catalysts. The plant was inaugurated last week and joins Evonik’s portfolio of similar sites in Hanau, Germany; Tsukuba, Japan; Americana, Brazil; and Calvert City, Kentucky, US.
Setting up the site in Shanghai will allow Evonik “to participate even more intensely in the booming Chinese pharmaceuticals and fine-chemicals markets”, said Wilfried Eul, head of the catalysts business line. Eul added that the site will augment Evonik’s market position.
Establishing a catalyst production presence in China rounds out the range of services Evonik can offer in the country. Germany-based Evonik, in cooperation with Heraeus, recovers precious metals from within China, establishing a closed domestic cycle for the materials.
Buying into India
Evonik has acquired a similar setup in India through the purchase of Ravindra Heraeus. The deal transfers all know-how, customers, technology, and business relationships with catalyst purchasers to Evonik. Production equipment will remain with the Indian company.
Long-term supply agreements have been put in place for Ravindra Heraeus to continue manufacturing metal catalysts for the Indian market and recycling used products at its site in Udaipur, in North West India, on behalf of Evonik.
"With Heraeus as a strong, capable partner, we can now supply our high-quality precious metal powder catalysts to customers in India from local production and offer them the complete package of services for precious metal management”, said Eul.