Solvay inaugurates bio-circular silica plant in Italy

Solvay today announced the inauguration of its new bio-circular silica facility at its plant in Livorno, Italy. The new unit produces highly dispersible silica (HDS) using bio-based sodium silicate derived from rice husk ash, an agricultural byproduct. According to Solvay, the process reduces CO₂ emissions by 35% per ton of silica compared to traditional methods and creates a local circular value chain that benefits the agricultural sector, industry and communities. Capacity of the unit was not released.

Solvay has stated its intention to convert other silica production sites worldwide to use ISCC® PLUS^* certified raw material by 2026. Livorno remains unique as the first site to use rice husk ash, while other sites will leverage other local industrial waste streams. By adopting circular silica, tire manufacturers can already achieve up to 15% recycled or renewable materials in their tire composition, according to Solvay.