Silica producer Evonik broke ground Oct. 1 on an expansion project that will boost production capacity by 50% at its plant in Berkeley County.
The Germany-based company said in a news release that tire production was driving demand for more capacity. South Carolina has 12 tire manufacturing plants.
“North America is a crucial growth region for us,” says Guido Skudlarek, president of Evonik North America. “This investment in the Charleston site underscores our dedication to meeting regional growth and customer needs. We are committed to providing innovative and sustainable solutions that offer significant benefits to our customers.”
The expansion is a strategic move by Evonik to solidify its presence in the region and demonstrate its long-term commitment to the silica business, the company said in the release. The company said it has been preparing for this step, driven by strong customer and market pull, positive engineering updates, and robust support from site partners and local authorities.
The amount to be invested in the site was not divulged, but when the company announced its plans in January, they called it a “mid-double-digit million euro amount.” At the Oct. 2 exchange rate, 10 million euros would be $11,044,000.
Related: Production of tires drives expansion for Charleston area plant
“With this expansion, our Charleston site will become a key hub for sustainable silica products in North America,” Lauren Kjeldsen, head of the Smart Materials Division, said in the release. “The site’s strategic location, dedicated workforce and advanced silica processing capabilities make it ideal for this expansion.”
Evonik has received investment incentives from the South Carolina Department of Commerce and Berkeley County Economic Development to expand its precipitated silica production at the Charleston location, the release stated.
“Their support and the overall business-friendly environment in South Carolina were crucial in selecting the Charleston site for the expansion,” said Kenneth Bittner, vice president of tax at Evonik.
Evonik has consistently invested in modernizing its silica production and making strategic acquisitions globally to strengthen its business, the release stated. The Charleston facilities are part of a network of 18 precipitated silica production sites worldwide.
“Berkeley County is proud of its diverse industrial sector — one that is thriving and growing,” Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said in the release. “Evonik’s expansion at Bushy Park in Goose Creek is a prime example of that success. We look forward to the company’s continued production in our community and the quality jobs that this project continues to create.”
Evonik’s focus on sustainability is a core aspect of this expansion, the company says.
“Our teams have worked diligently over the years to develop a comprehensive expansion plan,” says Emmanuel Auer, head of the silica business line for Evonik. “This project will help us achieve our sustainability targets by combining the positive impact of our silica technologies with a low carbon footprint. It highlights our commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative.”
The expansion at the Charleston site will enhance local supply chains for the tire industry and introduce circular raw materials to manufacture ULTRASIL Silica, aligning with the sustainability goals of the tire sector, the release stated.
Silica is essential for producing fuel-efficient tires, which can reduce fuel consumption by up to 8% compared to conventional tires, according to the release. The demand for such tires in North America is growing rapidly, driven by the need for improved fuel efficiency and reduced rolling resistance.
Evonik made a donation to the Berkeley County School District Career & Technical Education Department for the development of their manufacturing and automation courses, the release stated.
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries and generates 15.3 billion euros.
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