Evonik Industries AG is expanding production capacity for transparent nylon at its facility in Marl, Germany.
The project involves debottlenecking and comprehensive optimization measures at the plant to double the production of Trogamid CX-branded nylon by the first quarter of 2020.
The decision to add capacity, Evonik said in an April 8 news release, was made in response to increasing global demand for high-performance polymers.
In addition to improving Evonik's market position, the added capacity is also expected to help the company develop new products, according to Ralf Düssel, head of the high performance polymers business line at Evonik.
Evonik said it had been observing consistently high demand, especially in the consumer goods segment, for specialized material solutions combining transparency, quality and design freedom.
The polymer range has applications in the sports, leisure, automotive, cosmetic and medical industries.
As a lens material for sports and ski goggles, the high performance polymer offers clear visibility, wear resistance and high UV protection, Evonik said. The polymer is also used as a decorative material for automotive interior applications, due to its high transparency and scratch-resistance.