Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has opened a second production line for silica-based effect pigments in Gernsheim, Germany. Around 750 employees work at this site, which is home Merck’s largest pigment production facility worldwide. With this investment, Merck will significantly increase production capacities for silicon dioxide flakes, a special substrate for its Colorstream and Xirona product ranges for automotive coatings and color cosmetics. These pigments provide a unique color shift depending on the angle of observation.
Merck’s new plant in Gernsheim (Source: Merck)
“Silica-based pigments enable special effects, that are exceptionally well received by our customers and perfectly meet recent market trends,” said Jeff White, Head of Surface Solutions at Merck. “Through this state-of-the-art production facility, we will significantly increase the capacity for silica-based pigments in Gernsheim and flexibility in order to capture these growth opportunities.”
The investment of nearly €28 million in a second silica production line in Gernsheim strengthens the manufacturing site and promotes the unique selling points of silica-based pigments within the global pigment portfolio of the Surface Solutions business unit of Merck.