Evonik Opens Its First Asian Alkoxide Plant Here, Eyes Regional Expansion

S'pore Facility Will Focus on Production for Asean Markets Like Indonesia and Malaysia

- Benjamin Lim

The German chemicals company Evonik has opened an alkoxide production facility on Jurong Island that will pave the way for more sustainable chemical manufacturing facilities in the region.

The US$60 million (S$77.4 million) plant – the company's fourth in the world and first in Asia – adds to its production network alongside facilities in the US, Germany and Argentina.

Alkoxides, also known as sodium methylate, are chemical compounds that are primarily used as catalysts in biodiesel production using vegetable oils. They are also important components in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.

The Singapore plant, which opened on Aug 27, will focus on production for Asean markets, with Indonesia and Malaysia the major biodiesel producers.

While its other alkoxide plants require a combination of steam and electricity to operate, Evonik's Singapore facility will be the first to operate entirely on electricity.

This means that the plant would be able to run on green energy in the future, allowing it to operate with net-zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

The company also expects the alkoxide plant to play a bigger role in the chemical recycling of PET plastics.