PITTSBURGH (Sept. 22, 2011)—PPG Industries Inc. is increasing its global precipitated silica production by more than 18,000 tons annually, the company said.
Growing worldwide demand mandates the production increase, according to PPG. The company will expand silica expansion at its plants in Lake Charles, La., and Delfzijl, the Netherlands, it said.
Some of the capacity will come online during the fourth quarter of this year, PPG said, with the rest to be completed by the end of 2012. Employment at both Lake Charles and Delfzijl will increase slightly because of the capacity expansions, it said.
PPG was one of the pioneers of synthetic precipitated silica in the 1930s, according to the company. Today, its silica products are ingredients in a wide range of items, including tires, coatings, industrial rubber, footwear and silicone end-use applications.