07.27.17
Evonik is investing an amount in the upper double-digit million euro range in the expansion of its fumed silica capacities in Antwerp, Belgium. The production complex is scheduled to become operational in the summer of 2019. Typical applications of these specialty silica, which Evonik markets under the name AEROSIL, include coatings and paints, modern adhesive systems, transparent silicones as well as non-flammable high-performance insulation materials.
“This investment is a good fit for our strategy to concentrate more on distinct specialty chemicals businesses and to gradually create a more balanced portfolio,” said Christian Kullmann, chairman of the Evonik Executive Board.
Silica is part of “Smart Materials,” one of Evonik’s four strategic growth engines with above-average market growth and margin potential.
“With this investment in the silica business, which has low cyclicality, we are consistently following our growth course and solidifying our position as a leading global provider. Following the planned takeover of the Huber silica business and the continuous expansion of precipitated silica capacity, the AEROSIL expansion in Antwerp is the next logical step,” Kullmann notes.
The global market for fumed silica shows growth rates exceeding 4%, which outpaces the global economy as a whole. The market for applications in specialty silicones, adhesives for wind turbines and in the area of non-flammable high-performance insulation is posting above-average development.
Evonik is a leading global manufacturer of silica. In addition to the fumed silica AEROSIL and the precipitated silica ULTRASIL and SIPERNAT, Evonik also produces matting agents made from silica under the brand name ACEMATT. Overall, the global annual production capacity of Evonik for precipitated and fumed silica as well as matting agents reaches 600,000 metric tons.
“This investment is a good fit for our strategy to concentrate more on distinct specialty chemicals businesses and to gradually create a more balanced portfolio,” said Christian Kullmann, chairman of the Evonik Executive Board.
Silica is part of “Smart Materials,” one of Evonik’s four strategic growth engines with above-average market growth and margin potential.
“With this investment in the silica business, which has low cyclicality, we are consistently following our growth course and solidifying our position as a leading global provider. Following the planned takeover of the Huber silica business and the continuous expansion of precipitated silica capacity, the AEROSIL expansion in Antwerp is the next logical step,” Kullmann notes.
The global market for fumed silica shows growth rates exceeding 4%, which outpaces the global economy as a whole. The market for applications in specialty silicones, adhesives for wind turbines and in the area of non-flammable high-performance insulation is posting above-average development.
Evonik is a leading global manufacturer of silica. In addition to the fumed silica AEROSIL and the precipitated silica ULTRASIL and SIPERNAT, Evonik also produces matting agents made from silica under the brand name ACEMATT. Overall, the global annual production capacity of Evonik for precipitated and fumed silica as well as matting agents reaches 600,000 metric tons.