Under the name AVENEER, Evonik Industries has developed a new manufacturing process for methyl methacrylate (MMA).

Like the traditional ACH sulfur process, AVENEER is based on the starting material ammonia, methane, acetone and methanol without the additional use of sulfuric acid. The omission of the reprocessing of sulfuric acid, which has now become unnecessary, both saves costs and conserves resources. In addition, the new technology is distinguished by its regional and technological flexibility: it can be conducted in general at typical chemical plants around the world, and it allows existing Evonik plants to be reequipped.

Evonik claims to have already proven the feasibility of the new process in test production. In addition to further optimizations, the planning of the first large-scale technical plant will begin in the next few months. It could be commissioned by 2012, according to the current state of planning.

For more information, visit www.evonik.com.