Rubber Journal Asia

Companies cater to silica growth in Asia

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Wacker and Dow's US$1.8 billion facility is said to be one of the world's biggest and advanced integrated silicone production sites and includes a siloxane plant and a pyrogenic silica plant, with a combined capacity of 210,000 tonnes/year. The site also features finished silicone plants, owned and operated independently by each company. Siloxane and pyrogenic silica are key ingredients in the manufacture of finished silicone products. The project began in 2006 and the first phase of raw material production was launched in 2008.

Meanwhile, though Evonik did not give exact figures, the German company says capacity expansion is expected to be in the six-digit tonne region and will be implemented mainly at its silica sites in Asia and Europe. In May, Evonik announced capacity expansion for precipitated silicas at its subsidiary Insilco in Gajraula, India.

Evonik recently introduced seciality silicas Sipernat 288 and 268 that are designed for highly transparent silicone rubber applications, such as keypads for cell phones, computers and remote controls. Other products for the tyre industry and life science applications are being launched in the Asian market as well.