German speciality chemical company Evonik Industries AG has started up a precipitated silica plant for the tire industry in South Carolina.
Evonik has invested about $120 million in this production plant, in response to the high demand from the tire industry for precipitated silica in North America.
The company said that the opening of the new production plant is an important step in strengthening its position as a global partner for the tire industry and in addition to taking over the activities of peer Huber Silica, it is expanding its capacities for silica.
Evonik will also produce the recently developed ULTRASIL 7800 GR silica in South Carolina. The construction of the new production plant in Charleston creates over 40 new jobs.