Tyre industry demand prompts PPG Industries to raise precipitated silica capacity

PPG Industries is increasing production capacity for precipitated silica at its manufacturing site in Delfzijl, the Netherlands by more than 15,000 tons a year. The decision to raise capacity was made in part as global demand for the company’s Agilon performance silica products is growing; this growth, PPG Industries notes, has been facilitated by the signing of a new multi-year global supply agreement with a multinational tyre manufacturer that will require “large-scale” volumes of Agilon. The company expects the extra capacity to come online in 2016.

“Based on positive customer trials and interest, demand for Agilon performance silica is growing globally,” said Anup Jain, PPG vice-president, specialty coatings and materials. “The multimillion-dollar investment in Delfzijl will not only expand capacity but also give us the flexibility to rapidly switch existing production capability between conventional precipitated silica and Agilon performance silica to meet marketplace needs. The expansion demonstrates PPG’s commitment to our customers.”