Evonik’s new Alu5 plant in Japan strengthens its Asian presence, producing sustainable AEROXIDE® solutions for coatings, batteries, and advanced technologies.
Evonik has officially inaugurated its first advanced fumed alumina production facility, “Alu5,” in Yokkaichi, Japan—marking a significant milestone in its mission to expand its footprint across Asia. This newly commissioned plant represents a mid-double-digit million euro investment and highlights Evonik’s strong commitment to innovation, sustainable growth, supply reliability, and customer-centricity in one of the world’s fastest-growing industrial regions.
“The commissioning of our Alu5 plant goes far beyond an increase in production capacity—it’s a strategic step to bring our advanced aluminum oxide materials closer to our Asian customers,” stated Emmanuel Auer, Head of Evonik’s Smart Effects business line. Echoing this sentiment, Elias Lacerda, Head of the Coating Additives business line, noted, “From coatings to battery applications, this facility enables faster and more efficient access to the high-performance materials driving the industries of today and tomorrow.”
The Alu5 plant will focus on manufacturing AEROXIDE®, Evonik’s premium fumed aluminum oxide solution. Known for its exceptional purity and performance, AEROXIDE® is tailored for cutting-edge applications such as ultra-thin coating technologies. The product enhances durability, functionality, and overall efficiency across several sectors, including electric mobility, consumer electronics, and sustainable powder coatings. Beyond performance, AEROXIDE® contributes to sustainability by enabling resource-efficient production and longer product lifespans, aligning with global sustainability objectives.
Claus Rettig, President of Evonik Asia Pacific, underscored the plant’s strategic significance: “Alu5 is a cornerstone of our growth strategy in Asia. By producing locally, we are cutting down on lead times, reducing the carbon footprint, and ensuring supply chain resilience while supporting long-term, sustainable innovation.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, the Alu5 facility sets a new benchmark for operational excellence, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The project is the result of close collaboration between Evonik’s Custom Solutions segment (which includes the Coating Additives business line) and the Advanced Technology segment (which includes Smart Effects). Their joint effort underlines the advantages of combining expertise from both divisions, enhancing innovation capacity and strengthening Evonik’s global competitiveness.
This investment also reflects Evonik’s broader ambition to advance sustainable specialty chemistry and support the growing industrial transition toward cleaner, smarter, and more efficient technologies. By producing high-value materials locally, Evonik enhances responsiveness to customer needs while contributing to regional economic development and environmental stewardship.
With the Alu5 plant now operational, Evonik invites partners, customers, and stakeholders to collaborate in unlocking the new possibilities of specialty aluminum oxide materials and shaping the next phase of sustainable innovation across Asia.
