Engineering Solvay Inaugurates Europe’s First Bio-Circular Silica Facility

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Solvay has inaugurated its new bio-circular silica facility at its plant in Livorno, Italy. The new unit will produce highly dispersible silica using bio-based sodium silicate derived from rice husk ash, an agricultural byproduct.

Brussels/Belgium – Solvay inaugurated its new bio-circular silica facility at its plant in Livorno, Italy, marking a major milestone in Europe’s industrial transformation toward sustainability. This investment positions Solvay as a proactive partner in achieving the European Green Deal objectives and the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), while reinforcing Italy’s role as a hub for green innovation.

The new unit produces highly dispersible silica (HDS) using bio-based sodium silicate derived from rice husk ash, an agricultural byproduct. This breakthrough process reduces CO₂ emissions by 35 % per ton of silica compared to traditional methods and creates a local circular value chain that benefits the agricultural sector, industry and communities.

Philippe Kehren, Chief Executive Officer of Solvay opines, “By acting now, Solvay is helping tire manufacturers prepare for future EU requirements and meet their own sustainability goals,” said Philippe Kehren, CEO of Solvay. “Livorno is a tangible example of how we turn circular economy principles into industrial reality, enabling progress for generations.”

"Solvay has managed to transform an agricultural byproduct into a high-performance material on an industrial scale. We are looking forward to integrating more and more rice husk ash silica as a recycled material in our tire production and are very satisfied with its performance. We are keen on innovative, renewable and recycled materials because they support our ambitious sustainability roadmap,” said Jana Striezel, Head of Purchasing at Continental Tires.

This inauguration is part of Solvay’s global circular silica strategy, which will convert other silica production sites worldwide to use ISCC Plus certified raw material by 2026. Livorno remains unique as the first site to use rice husk ash, while other sites will leverage other local industrial waste streams. By adopting Solvay’s circular silica, tire manufacturers can already achieve up to 15 % recycled or renewable materials in their tire composition, contributing significantly to their target of 40 % by 2030.

“Livorno sets a benchmark for circular innovation in Europe and beyond,” said An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Silica business. “Our goal is clear: wherever Solvay produces silica, we will integrate circular materials to reduce environmental impact and support our customers’ sustainability objectives.”

The facility strengthens Solvay’s leadership in silica for energy-efficient tires, a key enabler of lower rolling resistance and reduced fuel consumption / extended battery range. It also underscores Italy’s strategic role in Solvay’s global sustainability roadmap, alongside major investments in green hydrogen and circular soda ash solutions.

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