Evonik Industries and AkzoNobel entered into negotiations to build a membrane electrolysis facility at AkzoNobel's site in Ibbenbüren (Germany). The joint venture is for the new construction and shared operation of an electrolysis facility for potassium hydroxide solution and chlorine. Negotiations are expected to be finalized by the end of 2014. The production of potassium hydroxide solutions with current mercury electrolysis technology must be phased out by 2018. Membrane electrolysis will replace this procedure with an environmentally friendly and sustainable method.
The membrane electrolysis facility in Ibbenbüren will have a nominal annual capacity of approximately 130,000 metric tons of potassium hydroxide solution and a nominal annual capacity of approximately 82,000 metric tons of chlorine. After production startup, projected for the third quarter of 2017, AkzoNobel will take over the marketing of chlorine and hydrogen or process the substances directly at the Ibbenbüren site. Evonik will take over the marketing and further processing of potassium hydroxide solution at its Lülsdorf site, where it processes potassium hydroxide solution into potassium carbonate.
For more information, visit: www.evonik.com