Biesterfeld to distribute Elkem silica in Germany 

Hamburg, Germany – Biesterfeld Performance Rubber will distribute silica products from Elkem Silicon Materials into the German rubber market, the company announced 18 March.

Effective 1 April, the contract includes Elkem ASA’s Sidistar products which are grades of spherical amorphous silica which are characterised by low specific surface. 

The products can be used in a wide range of end-use applications, including in rubber compounds where it interferes with the reinforcing filler network to increase packing density possible.

Moreover, the silica can be added on top of existing formulations or replace some of the existing reinforcing filler without any negative effects, according to Biesterfeld. 

The addition of the silica to the formulation, it said, can improve processing behaviour and properties such as dynamic fatigue or surface finish. 

The silica also acts as a synergist in a wide range of flame retardancy applications including partial Antimony-tri-oxide substitution as well as halogen free flame-retardant solutions. 

In this application, the product reduces dripping through char integrity improvements, Biesterfeld added.