Momentive acquires US silane plant

Momentive Performance Materials Inc. has acquired the operating assets of Sea Lion Technology, Inc. located in Texas City, Texas. Sea Lion is a contract chemical manufacturer that has manufactured silane products for Momentive for more than a decade, including silanes sold under Momentive’s NXT brand. The Texas City facility will continue to manufacture NXT silane as an integrated part of Momentive’s global supply chain, joining the company’s 24 other manufacturing facilities located around the world.

This acquisition, together with the February 2016 announced investment in a new NXT silane manufacturing facility in Leverkusen, Germany, is part of Momentive’s stated aim of improving the availability of its NXT silane and the reliability of product supply to tyre manufacturers around the world.

“With increasing global demand for low rolling resistance tyres, NXT silane products are being sought out for their ability to help improve tyre performance while easily integrating with manufacturer’s production methods,” comments Rich Owins, vice-president of Momentive Silanes. “Producing NXT silane in the US, along with plans to bring on new capacity in Europe, will help Momentive ensure we can serve the needs of our customers no matter where their operations are located.”

Some US$30 million is being invested in the NXT silane facility in Leverkusen. The plant is expected to enter production towards the end of this year.