Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Solvay Inaugurates Silica Capacity Expansion in France

Solvay has inaugurated during an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or site in France its highly dispersible silica capacity production expansion and its modernized R&D facility. More information on the site you will read here.

Related Vendors

Maag Pump Systems AG

TRM Filter d.o.o.

Frewitt fabrique de machines SA

Solvay Specialty Polymers

This investment in further capacity at Solvay's Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or site follows a similar volume expansion last year in the US and the start-up in 2010 of a new plant in China. These three investments required in total EUR 74 million. “Our worldwide highly dispersible silica production capacity now exceeds 400,000 tons,” commented Tom Benner, President of Solvay’s Silica Global Business Unit.

The investment in Collonges includes important upgrades in control technology, ensuring the site has world-class performance for quality and environmental protection. Equipped with the latest technologies, the modernized R&D facility can now speed up innovation, and offers customers full support for development and testing of innovative silica formulations by manufacturing improved end products that meet the challenges of sustainable mobility. “The refurbishment provides more flexibility, increases productivity, and raises our best in class standard, enabling us to better serve our customers worldwide,” added Site Manager Sabine Gouvernel.

Tire Industry Boost Demand

“Demand for highly dispersible silica is pulled by a growing need for safer and more energy-efficient tires and the new European Tire labeling legislation applicable from November1st,” he added. “We can now meet our customers’ needs globally as this new legislation takes effect,” said Tom Benner. Solvay’s benchmark range Zeosil and Zeosil Premium highly dispersible silica is used by major tire manufacturers worldwide in the production of energy-saving tires providing up to 30% reduction in rolling resistance, thereby decreasing fuel consumption by up to 7%, while improving traction.

(ID:36700330)