PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solvay is adding 10,000 metric tons (MT) of capacity to its Chicago Heights, IL (USA) Silica plant.
The project is underway and will deliver an additional 10,000 MT of highly dispersible silica (HDS) capacity by 2018. The additional capacity will further Solvay’s commitment to serve its customers in the North American Market. Chicago Heights will also be adding additional grades from Solvay’s ZeosilⓇ and TixosilⓇ product lines over the same time period to adapt to expanding demand for new products in North America. This expansion is a further continuation of Solvay’s global investment in the HDS market and follows Solvay’s recent investments in a new plant in Poland (2015), HDS production in Brazil this year, and the scheduled start-up of a new plant in Korea this year.
“Solvay’s silica business is focused on being a leader in innovation and service. This expansion will help us to continue to provide our partners with local supply of our global technologies,” commented An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Silica GBU. "And will also provide us with a platform to produce new products to support the needs of North America."
The Chicago Heights, Illinois, Silica plant, was founded in 1995, and is one of nine Solvay Silica plants that make up Solvay’s global production network across Europe, South America, North America and Asia, producing highly dispersible silica at the highest quality standard for fuel-saving tires, battery separators, and other key markets.
Follow us on twitter @SolvayGroup
An international chemical and advanced materials company, Solvay assists its customers in innovating, developing and delivering high-value, sustainable products and solutions which consume less energy and reduce CO2 emissions, optimize the use of resources and improve the quality of life. Solvay serves diversified global end markets, including automotive and aerospace, consumer goods and healthcare, energy and environment, electricity and electronics, building and construction as well as industrial applications. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 30,900 employees spread across 53 countries. It generated pro forma net sales of € 12.4 bn in 2015, with 90% made from activities where it ranks among the world’s top 3 players. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB:BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR).
Solvay Silica is the inventor of Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) in the 1990's and a key player in energy-saving tires. Its innovative solutions provide tire manufacturers worldwide with the means to progress in sustainable mobility. With nine manufacturing sites and four R&I laboratories on as many continents, Silica also offers a range of applications in personal care, such as toothpastes and exfoliating beads, in animal nutrition, high-performance membranes and in rubber reinforcement.
