Pyrogenic silica is an essential ingredient for flow control in a variety of paint and coatings formulas.
photo by Wacker Chemie AG
Cosmetics and personal care products benefit from a variety of enhanced properties which HDK pyrogenic silica can provide.
photo by Wacker Chemie AG
For insulation manufacturers, pyrogenic silica is a primary component for both pressed insulators and vacuum insulation panels.
photo by Wacker Chemie AG
Wacker Chemie AG, the Munich-based chemical group, officially started construction on the HDK pyrogenic silica plant located adjacent to WACKER’s Charleston, Tn. polysilicon plant. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives from politics, business and local government. WACKER Executive Board Member Auguste Willems, State of Tennessee dignitaries and local officials broke ground for the new plant.
With the USA being the second largest chemical market, the Charleston, TN HDK pyrogenic silica plant will enable WACKER to keep pace with growing demand for this indispensable product,” said Auguste Willems. “This new facility is a key component of Charleston’s supply chain. It is the next step toward expanding Charleston into a fully integrated silicon site,” he explained, emphasizing the strategic importance of WACKER’s investment.
The main by-product of polysilicon manufacturing is tetrachlorosilane. This either has to be converted and fed back into the production loop, or it can be used to create added-value by being further processed into HDK. By integrating the polysilicon and HDK production systems, WACKER achieves optimum flexibility in reprocessing tetrachlorosilane into a marketable product.
HDK is used as a rheology-control additive in paints and adhesives, as filler in silicone elastomers and also serves as a flow aid in personal care products and cosmetics and used as an anti-caking agent in the pharmaceutical and food-processing industries.
WACKER produces HDK pyrogenic silica at Burghausen and Nunchritz in Germany and at Zhangjigang, China. The Munich-based chemical company is the world’s third largest producer in this sector.