The company will be headquartered in Marl, Germany. The companies had announced their intent to form this venture in June 1999.
Acrylic acid is an extremely important raw material for both companies.
Stockhausen, a leading international supplier of superabsorbers, needs acrylic acid for the manufacture of these products, which are used for the most part in the hygiene industry, e.g. for diapers. In addition to this, acrylic acid is an important raw material for water treatment products, for example for use in water treatment plants, also part of Stockhausen's core business. Among other things, Rohm and Haas uses acrylic acid and its secondary products for a wide range of acrylate-based materials, which are used in the manufacture of paints, coatings, adhesives and plastics, etc. Initially, StoHaas will produce 330,000 tons of crude acrylic acid annually, sourced from operations in Deer Park, Texas and at Chemiepark Marl, Germany. Beginning in 2003, StoHaas will increase capacity at Marl and will then produce a total of 430,000 tons of crude acrylic acid annually.