Röhm takes responsibility for the European Methacrylates industry

During the last eighteen months the European Petrochemical Industry had to overcome a challenge of epic proportions.  Raw material inputs and utility cost that feed our chemical complexes have been irrationally high and have put enormous stress on the sustainability of the industry as a whole.  It feels as if the industry has been going from one crisis into the other for an even longer period. First, the insecurity of the COVID-pandemic in 2020; secondly, a rapidly expanding demand and problematic supply chains in 2021 only to be followed by an even larger conflict in Ukraine and highly irrational and volatile costs. During these troubled times, we have asked a lot from our customers. Costs had to be passed-on to ensure the longer term sustainability of our asset footprint. “We managed through the worst crisis”, stated Hans-Detlef Luginsland, Head of Bulk Monomers.

The last eighteen months surely have proven to be incredibly challenging for the petrochemical industry. A high cost position in Europe coincided with supply chain disturbances easing, and demand reduction has caused many companies in Europe to try and battle the inflationary pressures in a low demand environment. We are sincerely grateful for the commitment and loyalty of customers, who valued the partnership during the last months. Röhm values this commitment and we are now able to provide the support our valuable customers need to bring value back into the downstream sectors. A series of price adjustments are currently being implemented and should be seen as our way of giving back fuel to spark demand in the Methacrylates value chain and clean up troubled balance sheets for our loyal customers.

We have completed our annual maintenance in Wesseling where we have invested in technological improvement and cost reducing measures, while at the same time we reduce our dependency on natural gas as energy source. Therefore, we stand ready to overcome a potentially volatile winter season ahead. Similar investments are scheduled for our annual shutdown in Worms, which shall take place in September. We stand ready to support our customers who need a reliable, domestic, sustainable and competitive source of supply in Europe. “We are here to grow together and create value for our customers”, stated Olivier Vandermotte, Head of Sales.

Röhm also takes responsibility by following a clear roadmap within its Track 2030 program to reduce its global carbon footprint by 30% per ton by 2030 compared to 2020 and to produce climate-neutral by 2050. The customer proximity of a domestic producer also contributes to the sustainability of the industry.