Evonik expanding silica capacity in Japan

On Friday, Evonik Industries announced plans to expand its capacity for specialty silicas in Ako, Japan, where the company operates through a joint venture, DSL Japan Co. Ltd. Evonik holds 51% of the venture, with Japan’s Shionogi & Co. Ltd. holding the remainder. The expansion project is budgeted in the “single-digit million euro range” and is scheduled to become operational in 2015. The company did not announce a specific capacity for the plant or the expansion, but the project will increase capacity for SIPERNAT brand silicas used in batteries, silicones, engineered rubber goods, and coatings. This project is one part of a global expansion plan for silica that Evonik has been implementing for several years, including a 30% increase in global capacity from 2010 to 2014, according to the company. Evonik is expanding silica capacity at a plant in Chester, PA in 2014, and a new plant in Brazil is scheduled for start-up in 2016. Evonik’s global capacity for precipitated silica, fumed silica, and matting agents was 550,000 metric tons in 2014.

Here is the full press release.