Solvay adds circular raw materials for highly dispersible silica production in Asia

Solvay announced this week a program to convert its highly dispersible silica (HDS) production in Asia to circular raw materials, specifically ISCC+ certified waste sand. As of 2026, Solvay's HDS plants in Qingdao, China and Gunsan, South Korea will begin incorporating the waste sand into their production process. Solvay did not provide details as to the source of the waste sand or the quantities involved. Sand is a key ingredient in the production of sodium silicate, a feedstock for silica production.

This program complements Solvay's recent conversion of its silica plant in Livorno, Italy to using rice husk ash as a circular feedstock. Solvay Silica’s broader sustainability roadmap has included implementing low-emission technologies, such as electric furnaces, to reduce the product carbon footprint of silica worldwide.

Source: Solvay

Notch Consulting's new report on the global precipitated silica industry, the Silica Market Update, is scheduled for publication in October 2025.