PPG Industries, Inc. (Pittsburgh, Pa.; www.ppg.com) held a ceremony marking the completion of a project to increase precipitated silica production capacity at its Delfzijl, Netherlands, manufacturing location. The expansion, which came on line earlier this year, adds capacity of more than 15,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) of advanced precipitated silica products.
“This investment here in Delfzijl demonstrates PPG’s continued commitment to our global customers,” said PPG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael McGarry, who spoke at the event. “We worked in partnership with local authorities to expand our capabilities here and deliver growth focused on innovative and sustainable technology.”
Agilon performance silica is a high-value technology platform of chemically-modified precipitated silica that can improve product performance. When used in tires, it helps improve vehicle fuel efficiency, tire traction and treadwear by as much as 5 to 10 percent. Agilon performance silica also provides environmental and manufacturing benefits by improving throughput, and by reducing capital expenditure, energy usage and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
“Demand for Agilon performance silica is growing globally as more of our customers successfully commercialize products using this technology,” said Anup Jain, PPG vice president, specialty coatings and materials. “We are excited about the expansion and to have increased flexibility for producing both conventional precipitated silica and Agilon silica.”