Isophorone

Production of the solvent isophorone started in 1962 in the Herne nitrogen works of Hibernia AG. The development of the new solvent resulted from the search for ways in which to dispose of or recycle acetone. In 1967 Isophorone production was carried out in what is today the Herne plant of Evonik Industries AG and was previously the Hibernia factory Herne I.

Putting the first production plant into operation in 1967 signaled the start of acetone chemistry in Herne that was intended to position the site for the future and that still provides it with security today. When VEBA AG reorganized its chemical business, the Herne plants were transferred to Hüls AG in 1979 and so was the Isophorone product family. Since 1992 product variants of Isophorone and since 1999 Isophorone are today also manufactured at the Evonik site in Mobile, Alabama.

Isophorone has excellent solvent properties for binders, resins, and numerous chemical products. It is used as high boiling solvent in paints, printing inks and adhesives. In these applications Isophorone improves flowing properties and brightness. Because of its special chemical structure, Isophorone serves as starting material for production of several chemicals, which otherwise are hardly producible. These Isophorone derivatives are used in many different areas. In the construction industry, for example, they are used as corrosion protection on bridges, scaffolding or sluices. They are used in wood preservatives and to seal floors.