Evonik's first fumed silica plant starts operations in Zhenjiang, China

ZHENJIANG, China—Evonik Industries A.G. and joint venture partner Wynca have officially started up a new fumed silica plant in Zhenjiang, in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu.

Operated by Evonik Wynca (Zhenjian) Silicon Material Co. Ltd., the plant is Evonik's first fumed silica production site in China, Evonik announced Oct. 14.

Evonik started construction on the "mid-double-digit million euro" plant in late 2019.

At the time, the German chemicals supplier said the facility would produce 9 metric kilotons per annum of Aerosil-branded silica to meet growing demand for silicones, coatings, paints, adhesives and gel batteries in China.

The joint venture will combine Evonik's production technology with Wynca's local silicone industry value chain, leading to a more circular economy.

"This integrated production loop is expected to make full use of by-products from each side," Evonik said in a statement.

The facility will use chlorosilanes from Wynca's Zhenjiang site, while supplying hydrochloric acid by-product as a raw material to the Chinese partner's operation.

The goal, it added, is to "achieve perfect resource recycling and synergies among organic silicon monomer, chlorosilane and fumed silica production."

China is currently undergoing an overall industrial transformation and upgrade, according to Claas Klasen, president of Evonik's Asia Pacific North region.

The German company, he continued, can see significant market opportunities in the ongoing changes in China.

"I am excited to witness the cooperation between Evonik and the Chinese partner Wynca," he said. "The joint venture will be a strong complement to Evonik's global presence in fumed silica. We expect win-win results through leveraging the expertise of both parties in silicon materials."

Fumed silica is a nanomaterial with an annual market growth above GDP on a global basis, according to Evonik.