ESSEN, Germany (Nov. 21, 2012) — Evonik Industries A.G. intends to boost its silica capacity by 30 percent globally by 2014 to serve its tire industry customers.
The company said the cost of the projects will be in the "upper double-digit million euro range."
"We've committed to expanding our capacities worldwide by about 30 percent by 2014, as compared to 2010. Right now, we're already about halfway there," said Thomas Haeberle, Evonik executive board member responsible for the Resource Efficiency Segment.
"We've already expanded the facilities for our precipitated silicas Ultrasil and Sipernat in Asia and Europe," said Johannes Ohmer, head of the Inorganic Materials Business Unit. Evonik produces precipitated silicas at 10 sites in nine countries. "Initially, we saw increasing demand in Europe. Now Asia and North America are following suit. Other regions will follow."
In all, Evonik has a worldwide annual capacity of about 500,000 metric tons in precipitated and fumed silicas, as well as matting agents.