Rohm & Haas and Stockhausen GmbH announced the launch of a joint-venture business for the production of acrylic acid.

Rohm and Haas Co., Philadelphia, and Stockhausen GmbH & Co. KG, Krefeld, Germany, a subsidiary of Degussa-Hüls AG, announced the launch of a joint-venture business for the production of acrylic acid. The venture company, StoHaas Monomer GmbH & Co. KG, is expected to begin operations by the end of this year and will be based in Marl, Germany. Rohm and Haas also has acquired Stockhausen’s European monomers business. The companies said the venture company will initially produce 330,000 tons of acrylic acid annually at sites in Deer Park, TX, and Marl. Annual production will increase to 430,000 tons in 2003. Acrylic acid and its derivatives are used in coatings, adhesives, and other products.