MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay, the leading global supplier of specialty polymers, has launched the production of Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) at its new state-of-the-art plant in Gunsan, South Korea, meeting strong and growing regional demand for energy saving tires, said the producer on its site.
The plant has an annual capacity of more than 80,000 tons in producing Solvay’s most advanced grades of HDS. This Solvay invention reinforces the rubber in tires and reduces a vehicle’s fuel consumption by as much as 7%. Moreover, HDS brands like Zeosil PREMIUM and Efficium help tire makers to raise performance levels for both car and truck tire compounds.
Solvay is upgrading its Silica production technologies with this new site, delivering innovative products to its customers in the region. The site will over time replace the one in Incheon, which is in an area designated for urban development.
"Solvay’s new site with its latest technology standards, further strengthens our supply security to our customers and our contribution to cleaner mobility," said An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Silica Global Business Unit. "Our global market reach and innovation capabilities close to and with our customers allow us to grow our silica applications in energy saving tires for both cars and trucks."
Solvay’s Silica GBU operates 10 sites across Europe, North and South America and Asia.
As MRC informed before, in May 2016, Solvay signed a definitive agreement with Brazilian chemical group Unipar Carbocloro to sell its 70.59% stake in Solvay Indupa. "Solvay’s divestment of Indupa follows our announced early exit of our European PVC joint venture as Solvay is transforming into a specialty chemicals group," said Vincent De Cuyper, member of Solvay’s Executive Committee. "In acquiring Solvay Indupa, Unipar will strengthen its strategic position in the caustic soda and chlorine value chain extending its chemical footprint in PVC and allowing for the further development of Indupa."
The transaction is based on a total enterprise value of USD 202.2 million, which shall be subject to customary adjustments. Completion of the transaction is subject to the customary closing conditions, including antitrust approval.
Created in 1948, PVC and caustic soda producer Solvay Indupa has 956 employees and two production sites in Brazil and Argentina. Indupa, with a manufacturing capacity of more than 500,000 tpa of PVC, runs facilities at Santo Andre, Brazil, and Bahia Blanca, Argentina.
Solvay, with a market share 27%, is the second largest PVC manufacturer in Europe, after Kerling with 29% of the market. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 30,900 employees spread across 53 countries.
MRC