Evonik (Essen / Germany; www.evonik.com) has opened its new “Vestosint” PA 12 powder plant in Marl / Germany. The facility primarily produces high-performance powders for the 3D printing market, which is expanding heavily with double-digit growth rates, the company said.

The project required a “mid double-digit million euro” investment, and will boost Evonik’s annual capacity for PA 12 powders by 50% (see Plasteurope.com of 16.09.2016). The company manufactures its high-performance powders from PA 12 resin in a proprietary process in its integrated production network for polyamide 12 products. In addition to 3D printing, Vestosint coating materials are used in household goods, dishwasher baskets as well as in the automotive industry and in medical technology.

“The new production capacities will enable us to assume an even more prominent role in the global growth of attractive markets such as the coatings industry or 3-D printing,” said Claus Rettig, chairman of Evonik Resource Efficiency. “In addition, we are able to develop new customised polymer powders even faster and more flexibly in order to support our customers’ strong growth.”