Solvay S.A. (Brussels, Belgium; www.solvay.com) has begun the construction of its production plant for highly dispersible silica (HDS) in Gunsan, South Korea, to address growing demand in Asia for energy-saving tires and to develop innovative HDS grades.
Solvay officially broke ground for the construction of the plant, which with a production capacity of more than 80,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr), is expected to be operational in the next two years.
Solvay’s new plant in Gunsan will produce its latest and most advanced grades of high-performance silica, including Efficium. This latest generation of HDS allows for higher productivity and greater flexibility in producing energy saving passenger car and truck tire compounds.
The facility will, over time, replace an important part of the current capacity at Solvay’s Silica site in Incheon, which is located in area designated for future residential development.