Evonik invests in a plant expansion for precipitated silica at its site in Charleston, USA. The new line in South Carolina is satisfying the high demand in particular from the tire industry in North America and makes the supply chains of Evonik partners in the region resilient by enabling local silica sourcing. Silica is a key ingredient for fuel-efficient tires and other products like toothpaste or coatings.

The group is investing a mid-double-digit million Euro amount. The construction of the new production line is scheduled to begin in mid-2024. Operations will start in early 2026.

Evonik has defined a clear roadmap towards carbon neutrality for its Charleston site. The expansion in Charleston fulfills the need for local-to-local supply chains for tires. Moreover, the company plans to introduce circular raw materials to manufacture ULTRASIL® Silica to satisfy the sustainability targets of the tire industry.

Silica is a key ingredient for fuel-efficient tires, reducing fuel consumption by up to 8% compared to conventional passenger car tires. In North America, the demand for tires with reduced rolling resistance and improved fuel efficiency is experiencing above-average growth.