Röhm to build MMA plant on US Gulf Coast

• Investment for the new MMA production plant is approved
• Mechanical completion planned for 2023
• Technology enables a high yield with low energy consumption

Röhm is pleased to announce the start of detail engineering and construction of a new production plant for MMA in Bay City (Texas/USA). The final budget for construction has now been approved by the Supervisory Board. The plant will be the first of its kind to implement the newly developed LiMA technology on a large industrial scale. Röhm expects mechanical completion in 2023. The new plant will have a production volume of 250,000 tons and create 70 direct jobs.

“With this investment, we will significantly expand our global capacities for MMA and are sending out a strong sign of commitment to the market. Our customers worldwide can rely on our supply”, says Michael Pack, CEO of Röhm. “We are very pleased to realize this project with very competent and reliable partners.”

The plant will be built on the site of OQ Chemicals. Following the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding with Röhm in February 2021, OQ is actively engaged in engineering for construction of additional aldehydes capacities and site services required to support the investment by Röhm. “We are proud to be part of this project as an excellent example of how we approach strategic investments and cooperation”, comments Oliver Borgmeier, Managing Director of OQ Chemicals.

The EPC contract has already been awarded. The leading consulting and engineering company Wood will deliver engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the project and the teams start immediately with their engineering work.

Compared to other MMA processes, the LiMA technology has the clear advantage of cost leadership in operation. The technology enables a high yield with low energy consumption and reduced wastewater volumes.

“The LiMA project significantly strengthens Röhm’s position in the MMA market”, says Ron Ayles, Managing Partner at the financial sponsor Advent International. “At the same time, this groundbreaking technology sets new standards for using resources efficiently and for making notable reductions in its environmental impact.”

Methacrylate monomers and their derivatives are important precursors used in the automotive and construction industries. The acronym LiMA reflects the ambition of Röhm: LiMA stands for ‘Leading in Methacrylates’.