Evonik to expand silica capacity in Thailand  

Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) is now significantly expanding precipitated silica capacity at its Maptaphut site in Thailand. Funded by an investment in the lower double-digit million euro range, the expansion is to be completed in the first quarter of 2014. In addition to its application in the automotive industry for low rolling resistance tires, silica is also used in the food and animal feed industries, and in the paint and coatings industry. Demand in Southeast Asia for precipitated silica has risen sharply in these industries. “The purpose of our expansion strategy is to allow us to support the growth of our key customers in Southeast Asia and around the world,” says Thomas Haeberle, member of the Evonik Executive Board and responsible for the company’s Resource Efficiency Segment. Experts estimate that the worldwide market for low rolling resistance tires will grow by a solid 18%/yr over the next five years. Evonik has responded by noticeably expanding its global silica capacity. By 2014, its capacity is to grow by roughly 30% over 2010. Using silica in combination with silanes allows manufacturers to produce tires that greatly reduce rolling resistance, yielding fuel savings of up to…