PITTSBURGH—U.S. specialty chemicals supplier PPG has reached a strategic agreement with Taipei, Taiwan-based Oriental Silicas Corp. (OSC) for the distribution of select products in the Asia Pacific region.
As part of the agreement, OSC—a "leading producer" of silicas, sodium silicate and factice products—will act as a sales representative for a number of PPG silica materials used by tire manufacturers.
The products include select low- and high-surface-area PPG HI-SIL silica range and PPG Agilon performance treated silica, PPG said in an Oct. 27 statement.
The additives, said PPG, help lower the rolling resistance and improve wear properties in tire tread compounds, improve rubber mixing efficiency and reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions from the manufacturing process.
In addition, they can increase the amount of natural rubber used in tires to deliver improved wear and tear resistance and support the use of bio-based materials.
"[The agreement is] part of our ongoing effort to expand service capabilities and introduce innovative products in the Asia Pacific market for new and existing tire customers," said PPG's Gilles Gressier, global business manager of tire and battery, precipitated silica.