Röhm's Hanau plant drives innovation in methacrylate chemistry despite industry challenges
Lord Mayor Claus Kaminsky and Andreas Kunz, Managing Director of Hanau Economic Development GmbH, recently toured Röhm GmbH's site at Wolfgang Industrial Park. The visit highlighted the company's role as a global leader in methacrylate chemistry and its deep ties to the Hanau region. Discussions also focused on the broader challenges facing Germany's chemical industry today.
Röhm, headquartered in Darmstadt, operates worldwide with eight production plants and three innovation centres across Europe, North America, and Asia. In 2024, the company reported sales of around €1.7 billion, supplying key materials for industries like automotive and construction.
The Hanau facility specialises in reactive resins, producing around 60 different products for applications such as road markings, industrial flooring, and traffic safety. A team of 44 workers runs the plant in three shifts, ensuring steady output for regional and European markets.
During the visit, Kerstin Oberhaus, Site Manager of Wolfgang Industrial Park, stressed the location's strategic value and outlined plans for further expansion. Lord Mayor Kaminsky praised Röhm's technological leadership and its long-standing presence in Hanau, calling the city a vital industrial centre. Andreas Kunz added that fostering growth for companies like Röhm remains a priority for local economic development.
The talks also touched on wider issues affecting Germany's chemical sector, including rising energy and raw material costs, as well as bureaucratic obstacles to investment and research. Despite these pressures, European methyl methacrylate (MMA) production has held steady at 400,000–500,000 tonnes annually, with no major changes expected by 2025.
Röhm's Hanau plant continues to play a key role in supplying essential materials across Europe. The company's ongoing expansion and the city's support underline its importance to both the local economy and the broader chemical industry. Challenges like high costs and regulatory hurdles, however, remain critical concerns for the sector's future.
