THE WHAT? Evonik is making energy supply at its German sites less dependent on natural gas, with the substitution of alternative energy sources set to replace up to 40 percent of Germany’s natural gas supply. 

THE DETAILS According to Evonik, “In addition to safeguarding its own production, Evonik is thus making a contribution to save natural gas in Germany: The volume of gas being substituted is equivalent to the annual consumption of more than 100,000 households.”

Evonik is making the most significant measure at its largest German site in Marl. The new gas-fired power plant, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will be used instead of natural gas to generate energy. 

Evonik procures a total of around 15 terawatt hours (TWh) of natural gas per year worldwide, most of which is used for power and steam generation.

The company said, “Germany accounts for a good third of this. Energy supplies to Evonik sites outside Germany, for example, in Antwerp (Belgium), are largely independent of gas supplies from Russia. In Germany, on the other hand, a loss of Russian gas supplies would seriously jeopardize chemical production.”

THE WHY? Christian Kullmann, Chairman of Evonik’s Executive Board, said, “By substituting natural gas with LPG and continuing to operate the coal-fired power plant, we can completely dispense with natural gas for energy supply at our largest German site in Marl – without any significant curtailments in production. 

“The energy supply at our European sites is thus largely secured, even in the event of a Russian gas stop.”