EVONIK’s Philadelphia, US site is expanding its precipitated silica capacity by 22,000 metric tonnes by 2014. This multi-million dollar expansion is part of Evonik’s initiative to achieve a worldwide capacity increase for precipitated silica by 30% between 2010 and 2014.
Burkhard Zoller, senior vice president of Inorganic Materials in North America explained that the precipitated silica, when mixed into rubber, can significantly reduce the rolling-resistance of tyres. Vehicles using conventional tyres have higher rolling-resistance resulting in higher fuel consumption, he said.
Evonik’s silica system gives 8% higher fuel savings compared to conventional car tyres.
Precipitated silica is also used as an ingredient in the food and animal feed industries, and in paints and coatings.
Evonik’s fumed silicas improve the surfaces and properties of various products such as enhancing the polish of silicone wafers in the chip industry and enhancing the scratch resistance of paints.(RJA)
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