ESSEN, Germany—Evonik Industries A.G. will expand its specialty silica capacities in Ako, Japan, through a holding in DSL Japan Co. Ltd.
Evonik holds 51 percent of the shares in DSL, a joint venture with the Japanese Shionogi & Co. Ltd. The expansion, with an investment in the single-digit million range, is scheduled to become operational in 2015.
The speciality silicas of the Evonik Sipernat brand improve the properties of products such as batteries, silicones, engineered rubber items, or coatings, the company said.
Evonik added that it is expanding its silica capacities all over the world—in 2014 alone, Evonik said it is projected to have grown by approximately 30 percent compared to 2010.
A plant expansion for precipitated silicas is set to become operational in Chester, Pa., this year.
The company earlier approved the construction of a silica plant in Brazil, which is to start up in 2016.
The expansion in North and South America follows the expansions in Europe and Asia, which have already been completed. A larger production facility became operational in Thailand in March of this year.