Evonik adding fumed silica plant in China 

Zhenjiang, China – Evonik Industries AG and joint venture partner Wynca have started the construction of a new fumed silica plant in Zhenjiang, in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu.

To be operated by Evonik Wynca (Zhenjiang) Silicon Material Co., the plant will be Evonik's first fumed silica production facility in China.

The facility will produce 9 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) of Aerosil-branded silica, Evonik said in a 10 Dec release for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Set for completion in 2021, the “mid-double-digit million euros” project aims to meet growing demand for silicones, coatings, paints, adhesives and gel batteries in China.

The joint venture will combine Evonik's production technology with Wynca's local silicone industry value chain.

“This integrated production loop is expected to make full use of by-products from each side, according to the Evonik statement.

The facility will use chlorosilanes from Wynca’s Zhenjiang site, while supplying hydrochloric acid by-product as a raw material to the Chinese partner’s operation. 

The goal, it added, is to “achieve perfect resource recycling and synergies among organic silicon monomer, chlorosilane and fumed silica production.”

China is currently undergoing an overall industrial transformation and upgrade, according to Dr Claas Klasen, president of Evonik’s Asia Pacific North region.

The German company, he went on to say, can see significant market opportunities in the ongoing changes in China.

Fumed silica is a nanomaterial with an annual market growth above GDP on a global basis, according to Evonik.