Evonik’s Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada Plant Celebrates 50th Year Of Operations

Canada‘s social insurance cards were first issued. Lester B. Pearson was in his second year as prime minister. A sketch of Canada’s new flag was shown to the public. And specialty chemical company Evonik opened an acrylic sheet facility on Highway 2 in Morrisburg.

The year was 1964.

Today social insurance cards are no longer a novelty, the late prime minister’s name graces Toronto’s International Airport and Canada proudly flies its new flag. And Evonik Oil Additives Canada Inc. celebrates 50 years of doing business in Morrisburg.

“Evonik has been in Morrisburg producing quality products for more than a half century,” said Richard Van Sleet, Evonik Oil Additives vice president and global customer relations director. “We are extremely proud of our years of service at our Morrisburg site and of always maintaining high standards in the areas of safety, environment, and health throughout these years. We are also proud of being part of the Morrisburg community for five decades.”

The facility held a celebration of its 50 years of business with employees as well as colleagues from Germany, Singapore, France, and the United States.

“Our Oil Additives business is still going strong,“ said Evonik Oil Additives Canada Site Manager Dr. Andrew Swann. “The 30 employees at the plant make VISCOPLEX^® grade products, which enable better oil flow at low temperatures and ensure adequate lubrication at high temperatures, helping to reduce fuel consumption.”

Swann noted when the facility first started, it was manufacturing acrylic. “The site opened in 1964 as Seaway Chemicals,” he said. “The Oil Additives manufacturing started a year later, and although the acrylic sheet operation no longer exists, we continue to make oil additives - an essential ingredient in modern lubricants.”

The Morrisburg plant was called RohMax USA LP for a number of years until it was changed to Evonik several years ago to reflect Evonik’s position as one of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies.

Throughout the years, Evonik Oil Additives’ Morrisburg facility has continued its powerful partnership with its employees and the neighborhood. “We are good neighbors, staying in constant communication with the community, and are responsive to the needs of the area,” said Swann. “We have developed a team culture with open and accessible managers.”

One way Evonik has accomplished this is through its Community Advisory Panel (CAP). Composed of community and company representatives who periodically exchange information and ideas, Evonik Oil Additives’ seven member CAP has been important for the community and company, according to Dr. Swann.

“Community awareness has always been an integral part of our operation,” Swann said. “Some community-related efforts in addition to regular meetings with a CAP include involvement with the local Emergency Management Operation, open house events, and charitable donations to local organizations.

Evonik Oil Additives Canada Inc. is also certified to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. ISO certification is a set of international standards for management and verification of good quality management practices. Evonik Oil Additives Canada Inc. has also been a Responsible Care^® company of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada since 1998.

“We have had an incredible 50 years thanks to our employees and the cooperation of the community,” said Swann.

For additional information about Evonik in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america. Please visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvonikNorthAmerica. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EvonikN_America.

For additional information about Evonik in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america.