Production is now well under at Evonik Industries’ new precipitated silica plant in São Paulo, Brazil, which is the first highly dispersible silica factory to come on stream in South America.
Ralph Sven Kaufmann, executive board member and CEO of Evonik Industries, said, “With this investment in Brazil we are strengthening our position in South America as a global provider of high-quality silica for resource-conserving applications. We are also consolidating our leading global market position in silica.”
The tire industry in the region is profiting from growth in the automotive industry, which has recorded considerable increases in sales in South America over the last few years. The market for low rolling resistance tires and HD silicas, which are used in large quantities in these treads, has been growing at a much stronger rate than the market for conventional tires in South America. Evonik expects additional demand due to Brazil’s plans for tires to carry energy efficiency labels.
