Site

General Operations and Activities

The Lülsdorf site, located in Niederkassel (south of Cologne, Germany), has historically been a large multi-product chemical facility with a focus on basic chemicals and intermediates. The facility’s main operations included:

• Chlor-alkali process: based on Mercury cell technology
• Alkoxides production (sodium methoxide, potassium methoxide) – used in biodiesel, pharmaceuticals, and fine chemicals
• Potassium derivatives – various products for industrial and specialty applications
• Cyanuric chloride – produced in association with the neighboring Wesseling site, used mainly for pesticides and optical brighteners
• Production of other functional solutions and basic chemical intermediates

What Remains (or Will Be Stopped):

Evonik retains:

• The alkoxides business as a brand and international commercial activity (production at other sites in Mobile, USA and Rosario, Argentina, and since 2025, Singapore).​
• The customer base, technology, and integration into the Catalysts business line.

ICIG/Lülsdorf Functional Solutions now owns and operates:

• The entire Lülsdorf site, including physical assets and employees
• Potassium derivatives and cyanuric chloride businesses
• Alkoxides production (for now, by contract for Evonik, until at least 2027)​​​​​

Activities Ceasing at Lülsdorf:

• Mercury-based chlor-alkali process: Must cease by the end of 2027 due to EU environmental directives.​
• Any Evonik operational control at Lülsdorf ceased with the transfer to ICIG.

Technology Focus

Chlor-Alkali Technology

Process: Production of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) via brine electrolysis. Historically, Lülsdorf operated mercury-cell (amalgam) technology to generate very pure, concentrated alkali hydroxide for downstream uses.

Ownership and Operations:

• Historical Owner: Evonik Operations GmbH (until July 2023)
• Current Owner/Operator: ICIG (International Chemical Investors Group), under subsidiary Lülsdorf Functional Solutions GmbH
• Future Plans: The mercury-cell process is mandated to be shut down by end-2027 to meet EU regulation. Vynova (an ICIG subsidiary) has announced plans to build a new, mercury-free chlor-alkali facility at the site.
• Products: High-purity NaOH and KOH (feedstock for local and external use, including alkoxides/methanolates).

Alkoxide (Methanolate) Manufacturing Technology

Process: Conversion of sodium or potassium hydroxide (from the chlor-alkali plant or imported) with methanol to produce sodium methanolate (NaOCH₃) and potassium methanolate (KOCH₃).

Ownership and Operations:

• Historical Owner: Evonik Operations GmbH, which operated and marketed the methanolate units up to the site's 2023 sale.
• Current Owner/Operator: As of July 2023, all physical methanolate/alkoxide assets and ongoing production operations are the property and responsibility of ICIG/Lülsdorf Functional Solutions GmbH. Evonik no longer operates or owns this process at Lülsdorf, but maintains an offtake agreement for methanolate supply during a multi-year transition.
• Post-2027: Following the phase-out of mercury-based electrolysis, Vynova/ICIG will introduce modern, mercury-free technology for both hydroxide and alkoxide manufacturing, positioning Lülsdorf as a fully ICIG-controlled site.