Evonik is building a production plant for precipitated silica near Charleston, SC, USA, to supply the tire industry. The world-scale facility with an investment volume of around 120 million US$ is to be completed in 2018.

The use of silica in combination with silanes allows for manufacturing tires with reduced rolling resistance that save fuel compared to conventional car tires (up to 8 %). In North America, the demand for such tires is experiencing above-average growth. Evonik is the only manufacturer to offer both components. This makes them a competent partner for high-performance tire formulations for customers in the tire and rubber industries.

• Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany