Wacker to expand hydrophobic silica specialties plant

“The expansion enables us to meet rising customer demand for high-quality specialties and tailored solutions from Wacker. This project is part of our strategy to achieve further profitable growth through cost-effective expansions at existing plants and to increase the proportion of specialties in our total business,” said Auguste Willems, executive board member, Wacker.

Hydrophobic or water-repellent specialty silicas are used in toner powders for printers. They enhance the stability of the end product, as well as its flow and charging properties. Used in specialty adhesives and paints, these silicas permit optimum adjustment of rheological and mechanical properties.

Ultrapure powder-form amorphous silicon dioxide is used as filler in silicone elastomers and as a rheology-control additive in paints, adhesives, unsaturated polyester resins and plastisols. It also serves as a flow aid in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food-processing industries.

Besides Burghausen, Wacker produces HDK pyrogenic silica at Nünchritz in Germany and Zhangjiagang in China. The Munich-based chemical company is the world's third-largest manufacturer in this sector. (KD)

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