Evonik in the Greater China Region
Evonik expects the Greater China region1) to continue its very dynamic development in the
future, especially in the field of specialty chemicals. We aim to participate in this growth and
invest around €100 million a year in China. In keeping with this, above-average growth
targets have been set for the region: We plan to grow sales in Mainland China, Hong Kong and
Taiwan to €2 billion in the medium term.
Evonik has 4,000 employees in the region and they generated consolidated sales of over €820
million in 2008. The Mainland China accounted for 85% of this. Evonik’s main focus in the
region is on chemicals. In addition, our Energy Business Area has been providing engineering
services there for more than fifteen years, with a focus on reducing emissions and on
improving efficiency and general environmental protection at coal-fired power plants.
Our Chemicals Business Area has a strong presence with 19 companies and 15 production
locations in Greater China. These manufacture products in which we rank among the market
leaders, including amino acids and active ingredients for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals,
polyurethane foam additives, polyester coatings, color mixing systems, carbon blacks, rubber
silanes, precipitated silicas and high-performance polymers.
At our multi-user site in Shanghai Chemical Industry Park we operate production plants for
specialty polymers and high-quality system solutions for the Chinese coatings industry. We
are investing around €250 million in the construction of a large integrated complex at this
site comprising seven production plants for methylmethacrylate and methacrylate specialties,
which should come into service in 2009. Known as MATCH (Methacrylates to China), this is
our largest investment project in China and the second largest ever undertaken by our
Chemicals Business Area.
Our specialty chemicals operations focus on innovation and proximity to customers in Greater
China as elsewhere. Alongside our applications technology laboratories at several sites, our
Research and Development Center in Shanghai-Xinzhuang plays a key role. Opened in 2004,
this has over 100 employees and is already being extended for the second time. At our
Industrial Technology Research Institute in Hsinchu (Taiwan) we are working on further
developments for printable electronics and new displays.
We need a wide range of skilled staff for our ambitious growth plans. Evonik therefore
cooperates with Shanghai Petrochemical Academy, a sort of technical college for chemical
professions. We also support the development of young Chinese managers through our
collaboration with the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai. We aim to fill
key positions with highly qualified local managers wherever possible. The international
publisher CRF has honored Evonik as a “Top Employer 2009” in China.
Investor Relations, April 2009
1)
Evonik defines the Greater China region as Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.