Röhm boosts market position of PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds with expanded capacity and innovative products
- Huge increase in production capacity in Europe, North America and Asia
- Unique network for methacrylate monomers and polymers
- Constant rise in demand for PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds in the automotive industry
Röhm firmly believes that PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds will remain an essential material for numerous industries in future, offering ideal solutions for new requirements and trends. Despite the difficult conditions the chemical industry in general faces as a result of global crises, the company remains committed to its ambitious investment programs for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) production.
With production capacity hugely increased worldwide and a broad portfolio of PMMA special molding compounds under the PLEXIGLAS®, PLEXIMID® and CYROLITE® brands, the Molding Compounds business unit is in a very strong position and will be showcasing its work at Fakuma, the international trade fair for plastic processing, in Friedrichshafen from October 15 to 19, 2024.
Material for sustainable product design
PLEXIGLAS® is versatile and durable. Established on the market for more than 90 years, it continues to enable pioneering developments in technology, function and design. At the same time, it caters to the rising demand for resource-saving and recycled materials, and is ideal for sustainable product design. “The PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds product portfolio is being constantly developed to meet the needs of the market,” comments Siamak Djafarian, Head of the Molding Compounds business unit. The most recent addition is PLEXIGLAS® proTerra molding compounds, which combine a reduced carbon footprint with the proven performance of the brand PMMA.
High demand for PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds in the automotive industry
In recent years, Röhm has invested massively in expanded capacity, state-of-the-art production facilities and innovation centers on three continents. This increased production volume is predominantly to serve the constant rise in demand for PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds in the automotive industry. In addition, Röhm’s special molding compounds are also in demand in other growth sectors, such as construction, lighting and medical technology.
Expanded production capacity in key market regions
At its largest global production site for PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds in Worms, Germany, the company added a new production line in February 2024, as well as an additional compounding facility for colored PMMA products. The new facility uses a more energy-efficient production process that significantly reduces the carbon footprint of molding compound production. After all, sustainability is integral to Röhm’s business strategy.
Mid-2024 also saw Röhm significantly increase its production capacity at its Wallingford plant in Connecticut, USA, by converting the existing production line to enable faster delivery to customers. The Wallingford plant employs more than 50 people and operates multiple production lines producing special PMMA molding compounds. It is also an important production site for CYROLITE®, a high-quality, transparent, acrylate-based plastic that is predominantly used in medical technology. In China, too, Röhm has continued to enhance its market position by expanding the capacity of its PMMA facility in Shanghai and by extending the compounding facility.
Unique network structure for MMA and PMMA
Through investments in cutting-edge production technology, capacity expansion and innovation, Röhm and its Molding Compounds business unit are more than ready for the future. “We are the only global manufacturer of MMA and PMMA with production facilities with downstream compounding in the three key regions of Asia, Europe and North America. That makes Röhm a leading manufacturer of PMMA molding compounds worldwide. Our products, our delivery reliability with short delivery routes, and our on-site technical service make us a partner that customers all over the world can trust,” says Djafarian emphatically.
On the way to becoming the leading Methacrylate Verbund
Röhm has set itself the goal of becoming the world’s leading Methacrylate Verbund. As part of this, the company has invested in its own state-of-the-art research and innovation centers in all three regions. Another milestone on this journey is the construction of a new production facility for methyl methacrylate (MMA) in Bay City (Texas, USA), with technical completion expected shortly. The innovative LiMA technology developed by Röhm guarantees a high production yield with low energy consumption and reduced waste water. This reduces the products’ carbon footprint significantly, thus supporting the sustainability goals of the company’s customers. The facility will produce 250,000 tons of MMA per year. MMA is an essential primary product in the production of PLEXIGLAS® and many other Röhm products.
About Röhm
Röhm is one of the world's leading manufacturers in the field of methacrylate chemistry and supplies customers in fast-growing markets including the automotive, construction, and medical technology industries. We serve a global market with our MERACRYL® methacrylates and PMMA molding compounds under the PLEXIGLAS® brand, which we manufacture in our worldwide production network. Our high-quality products offer a wide range of applications – from paints, coatings, car taillights, medical products, aircraft glazing and household appliance displays to road markings.
Around 2,900 employees worldwide play a part in our success. With production and research sites across Europe, North America, and China, we combine regional presence with global expertise and create added value for our customers.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) products from Röhm are sold on the European, Asian, African and Australian continent under the registered trademarks PLEXIGLAS® and PLEXIMID®, in the Americas under the registered trademarks ACRYLITE® and ACRYMID®.
Discover the world of Röhm: www.roehm.com
Press Contact
Thomas Kern
Global Communications
Molding Compounds
Röhm GmbH
Deutsche-Telekom-Allee 9
64295 Darmstadt, Germany
Phone +49 6151 863-7154
thomas.kern@roehm.com