Evonik expands US production of precipitated silica
Thirty percent global capacity expansions planned for silica by 2014
Evonik Industries plans to increase its annual production capacities for precipitated silica at its US site in Chester, PA by around 20,000 metric tons. The new facility, which received an investment in the lower double-digit Euros range, is scheduled to become operational in 2014. The capacity expansion in Chester underscores the plans of the Evonik Group to expand its global silica capacities by about thirty percent over the level of 2010 by 2014.
“The market growth for precipitated silicas is primarily based on the trend to use fuel-efficient low-resistance tires,” explains Dr. Thomas Haeberle, member of the Evonik Executive Board and responsible for the company’s Resource Efficiency Segment. The use of silicas in combination with silanes allows for manufacturing tires with significantly reduced rolling resistance, which can save up to eight percent of fuel (compared to conventional car tires). Evonik is the only manufacturer to offer both components, making it a competent partner for high-performance tire formulations for its customers in the tire and rubber industry.
Other news from the department manufacturing
