Evonik starts up Brazil silica plant

Essen, Germany - Evonik Industries started its precipitated silica production plant in São Paulo, Brazil on 20 July, the German speciality chemicals company has announced.

According to the firm, the silica will be mainly used for the production of high-quality low rolling resistance tires in the region.

The company said that it invested a “mid-double-digit euro” figure in the plant, which it said was the first for easy dispersible silica (HD silica) in South America.

Evonik claimed the automotive industry has recorded “considerable increases in sales” in South America in the past few years, helping the tire industry make gains.

“The market for low rolling resistance tires and, consequently, for HD silicas, has been growing much stronger than the market for conventional tires in South America,” the German company said, adding that it expected additional demand because of the planned labelling regulations for energy efficiency of tires in Brazil.

The combination of silica/silanes in tires can lower rolling resistance of tires helping them reduce fuel consumption by up to eight percent compared to conventional tires

"We are the only manufacturer that offers both components and are thus an expert partner for high-performance tire compounds for our customers in the tire and rubber industries," said Johannes Ohmer member of the board of management of the resource efficiency segment.