Solvay steps up silica circularity with Asian waste sand adoption

Brussels – Solvay is converting its highly dispersible silica (HDS) production in Asia to circular raw materials, as part of a wider global sustainability strategy.

From 2026, the group’s plants in Qingdao, China and Gunsan, South Korea will use "ISCC+ certified waste sand" in place of virgin feedstocks.

The move will make more than half of Solvay’s regional HDS capacity circular, Solvay announced 16 Sept.

The strategy builds on the conversion of Solvay’s Livorno, Italy site, which was recently expanded to use rice husk ash as a raw material. (ERJ report)

According to Solvay, the adoption of industrial waste as feedstock can lower resource use and provide tire makers with “drop-in Zeosil silica” requiring no reformulation.

The transition is part of the Belgian group’s broader roadmap, which also includes investment in low-emission technologies such as electric furnaces to cut silica’s carbon footprint.

“Solvay’s circular silica helps improve fuel efficiency and EV range, offers long-lasting wear benefits, improves safety, while advancing sustainability,” said An Nuyttens, president of Solvay’s silica business unit.

The supplier said it aims to expand circular sourcing across multiple regions from 2026, strengthening supply chains through new partnerships and raw material streams.