Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) put its precipitated-silica production plant in Americana (São Paulo, Brazil) into operation on July 20, 2016. This high-growth silica is used mainly for high-quality low rolling resistance tires. In addition, by building this new silica production plant, Evonik is also catering to the needs of the growing regional business in attractive specialty segments in South America’s food, animal feed, and agricultural industries. This is the first plant for easy dispersible silica (HD silica) to come on stream in South America. Evonik’s investment for this plant is in the mid-double-digit euro range.
The tire industry in the region profits from the growth in the automotive industry, which has recorded considerable increases in sales in South America over the past years. 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. Evonik expects additional demand because of the planned labeling of the energy efficiency of tires in Brazil.
The use of silica in combination with silanes means that tires can be produced with a much lower rolling resistance, which can reduce fuel consumption by up to eight percent (compared to conventional automobile tires). Consequently, low rolling resistance tires contribute towards climate protection.
Evonik is one of the leading producers of silicas. In addition to the precipitated silicas Ultrasil and Sipernat, the Group produces the fumed silica Aerosil and silica-based matting agents under the Acematt brand. In total, Evonik has a worldwide capacity of about 600,000 metric tons per year of precipitated and fumed silicas and matting agents.