Wacker has bought a plant for production of pyrogenic silica at its US site in Charleston, Tennessee. Pyrogenic silica is used as an anti-caking agent in cosmetics.
Wacker’s HDK® Pyrogenic Silica
The company sells pyrogenic silica under the brand name, HDK® Pyrogenic silica, consists of highly pure amorphous silicon dioxide. The powder is used as a reinforcing agent in silicone elastomer manufacturing, as a flow-control additive in paints, adhesives, unsaturated polyester resins and plastisols, and as an anti-caking agent in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food-processing industries.
Direct Supply of Pyrogenic Silica to US Customers
With the new plant, company will be able to offer customers in the America a direct supply of HDK® pyrogenic silica. The new plant closes material loops and improves the supply chain at the site. The most important by-product of polysilicon manufacturing is tetrachlorosilane. This material can be either converted and fed back into the production loop or can be processed into pyrogenic silica. The new plant will also include test and development labs as well as training rooms for the company’s WACKER ACADEMY.
WACKER CEO Rudolf Staudigl, stated, “
The additional capacity will strengthen our market position in pyrogenic silica manufacturers and will help us meet our customers’ growing demand.”
The facility has an annual production capacity of 13,000 metric tons. Investments for the new facility total around USD 150 million and lead to 50 new jobs at the Charleston site.
Source: Wacker