The new production capacity will enable the company to meet the ongoing strong demand for its Sepuran membranes in biogas, nitrogen, hydrogen and natural gas applications. Evonik has invested a low double-digit million-euro amount in the new plant and created around 30 new jobs in Schörfling.
Last year, Evonik announced plans to invest €3 billion by 2030 in Next Generation Solutions, products with superior sustainability benefits. The company’s goal is to increase sales of Next Generation Solutions from the current 37% to more than 50% by 2030. The rapid increase in demand for Next Generation Solutions offers above-average growth potential for Evonik.
“The growth path of the membranes business clearly follows the group's new sustainability strategy,” said Lauren Kjeldsen, head of Evonik’s Smart Materials Division. “Our membrane technology for efficient gas separation is a living example of how Next Generation Solutions from Evonik contribute to sustainable added value in close cooperation with all market players.”
A high-performance polymer is processed into fine hollow-fibres in several process steps in the new production plant. The polymers are at the heart of Evonik’s Sepuran membrane technology.
“The global gas market has confidence in our membrane technology. With the capacity expansion in Schörfling, we are sending an important signal to our customers and partners of Evonik’s commitment to helping them accelerate the energy transition towards a sustainable gas economy,” said Dr Goetz Baumgarten, Head of the Membranes Innovation Growth Field at Evonik.
“We believe the energy mix of the future will be biogas, green hydrogen, and further synthesis products. That's why we are already working to expand our product portfolio and production capacities for this transformational market growth.”
Evonik relies entirely on renewable energies for membrane production in Schörfling am Attersee. Green electricity from wind, water, and biomass has been a key energy source for the production facility for years. Since the beginning of 2022, the specialty chemicals company has also been meeting 100% of its gas requirements with biomethane from regional production.
