Röhm Expands PMMA Production Capacity, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainability and Market Leadership

Röhm is confident that PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds will remain a critical material across various industries, providing optimal solutions for emerging requirements and trends. Despite the challenges posed by global crises on the chemical industry, the company continues to pursue its ambitious investment plans for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) production.

With a significant increase in production capacity globally and a diverse portfolio of PMMA specialty molding compounds under the PLEXIGLAS®, PLEXIMID®, and CYROLITE® brands, Röhm's Molding Compounds business unit is well-positioned in the market. Siamak Djafarian, Head of the Molding Compounds unit, noted that the product portfolio is consistently evolving to meet market demands. A recent innovation is the introduction of PLEXIGLAS® proTerra molding compounds, which offer a reduced carbon footprint while retaining the high performance associated with PMMA.

At its largest production site in Worms, Germany, Röhm has added a new production line and a compounding facility for colored PMMA products, both of which became operational in February 2024. This new facility incorporates an energy-efficient production process that significantly lowers the carbon footprint of molding compound production, aligning with Röhm's sustainability strategy.

In mid-2024, Röhm also enhanced production capacity at its Wallingford plant in Connecticut, USA, by upgrading the existing production line for faster customer delivery. The Wallingford facility, which employs over 50 people, produces a variety of special PMMA molding compounds and plays a key role in the production of CYROLITE®, a transparent acrylate-based plastic primarily used in medical technology. Additionally, Röhm has strengthened its market presence in China by expanding the capacity of its PMMA facility in Shanghai and extending its compounding capabilities.

Through strategic investments in cutting-edge production technologies and capacity expansions, Röhm is positioning its Molding Compounds business unit for future growth. Djafarian emphasized that Röhm is the only global manufacturer of MMA and PMMA with production facilities and downstream compounding in the three key regions: Asia, Europe, and North America. This unique structure cements Röhm's status as a leading manufacturer of PMMA molding compounds worldwide, providing reliable products and technical support to customers globally.

Röhm’s focus on PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds is evident as the company prepares to showcase its innovations at Fakuma, an international trade fair for plastic processing, scheduled for October 15-19, 2024. The company has heavily invested in expanding its production capacity and establishing state-of-the-art facilities across three continents to meet the growing demand, particularly from the automotive industry. PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds are also increasingly sought after in other growth sectors, including construction, lighting, and medical technology.

The Worms expansion, which began in 2022, represents a significant step in Röhm's growth strategy. The newly constructed facility is designed to accommodate additional production lines and is a testament to Röhm's commitment to sustainability. Djafarian highlighted that the company has proactively planned for this capacity increase, viewing the investment in Worms as a dedication to Germany as a vital industrial hub.

With over 90 years in the market, PLEXIGLAS® remains a versatile and durable material that facilitates innovative developments in technology, function, and design while meeting the demand for sustainable and recycled materials.

Röhm aims to become the leading Methacrylate Verbund globally. As part of this vision, the company is investing in state-of-the-art research and innovation centers across key regions. A notable milestone is the upcoming completion of a new production facility for methyl methacrylate (MMA) in Bay City, Texas, which will utilize Röhm's innovative LiMA technology. This facility is expected to produce 250,000 tons of MMA annually, significantly supporting the sustainability goals of Röhm’s customers by ensuring high production efficiency with low energy consumption and minimal wastewater generation.