Evonik replaces up to 40 percent of natural gas at German sites

By using alternative energy sources, the specialty chemicals supplier Evonik can replace up to 40 percent of its German natural gas supply without any significant restriction. In addition to safeguarding its own production, the company is also making a contribution to saving natural gas in Germany: the amount of natural gas substituted is equivalent to the annual consumption of more than 100,000 households. The most significant measure is being implemented at Evonik's largest German site in Marl. The new gas-fired power plant will use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) instead of natural gas to generate energy. The natural gas volumes released will also be available to replenish the natural gas storage facilities. Evonik is being supported by BP. The energy company is making an important contribution to the LPG supply at the Marl site.

The coal-fired power plant in Marl makes a further contribution to securing the energy supply. Evonik had originally planned to shut down this power plant this year. Following the change in the legal framework, Evonik will now take on the necessary personnel, invest in technical maintenance and secure the coal supply. This will ensure continued operation beyond this year. "The energy supply at our European sites is therefore also largely secured in the event of a gas freeze from Russia," says CEO Christian Kullmann. The energy supply at Evonik sites outside Germany, for example in Antwerp (Belgium), is largely independent of gas supplies from Russia. In Germany, however, a loss of Russian gas supplies would seriously jeopardize chemical production. According to the company, the measures taken have now significantly reduced this risk. Evonik has also identified measures to substitute natural gas at its other German sites, for example in Steinau, Essen, Krefeld, Lülsdorf and Wesseling. Here, natural gas is being partially replaced by heating oil, and corresponding investments have already been initiated.