Evonik opens silane competence centre

The new silanes competence centre Evonik Industries has built over the last two years is now officially open. The centre, at the company’s Rheinfelden site in Germany, was set up with a “low two-digit million euro” investment and will help Evonik continue to develop its research and development in the area of silane technology. The centre’s 100 employees are housed in a four-storey, 3,500 square metre building that contains state-of-the-art laboratories and, in addition to its R&D function, is now home to Evonik’s Applied Technology, Analytics, and Quality Management departments.

According to Evonik, the new research centre fits perfectly into its integrated silane production system. Silane research has been carried out at the Rheinfelden site for more than 80 years – the first patent for a silane was granted there in 1934. The company produces silanes worldwide at sites in Belgium, China, Germany and the USA.