German speciality chemicals and plastics producer Evonik (Essen; www.evonik.com) said it has started production of the world’s largest stretched PMMA sheets at its plant in Weiterstadt, near Frankfurt. Martin Krämer, head of Evonik’s acrylic products business line, said the sheets have the lowest thickness tolerances possible. “With this format, we are making it possible for our partners in the aviation industry to develop entirely new aircraft designs.”

Evonik said the market for stretched aviation materials was showing healthy growth but production capacities were limited. The company has invested a two-digit million sum in building the new plant. Capacity details were not disclosed.

Evonik said the large format of the sheets, which are 5.4 m long and 3.7 m wide, offers advantages such as increased design options, highly efficient production process and reduced offcut quantities. First tests to certify the plant in accordance with aerospace standards MIL-P-25690 in North America and EN 4366 in Europe have been successfully completed and sampling of the sheets has begun with selected customers.

Going forward, however, Evonik said methacrylates are not part of its investment focus. The company has decided to establish the business as an independent entity to provide better prospects for future development – see Plasteurope.com of 08.03.2018.