Solvay 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.
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 percent. 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.
