Solvay starts waste sand silica production in Asia

Brussels – Solvay has progressed its sustainability efforts with the start of waste sand-based silica production across two Asia production plants.

In its 2025 annual results, the Belgian supplier said production using ISCC+ certified waste sand has begun at its Qingdao, China, and Gunsan, South Korea plants, with a global rollout planned as part of its circular silica strategy. (ERJ report)

The move follows the launch earlier this year of its first bio-circular silica unit in Livorno, Italy, which uses rice husk ash to produce highly dispersible silica (HDS) for tire applications. (ERJ report)

Solvay said the initiatives support tire manufacturers' target of using 40% circular raw materials by 2030 and strengthen its position in sustainable mobility materials.

The group reported silica sales of €515 million for 2025, down 5.1% year-on-year, or 2.6% on an organic basis, reflecting "slightly lower" tire volumes.