Charleston Groundbreaking
Press Release

October 01, 2024

Evonik Breaks Ground on Major Silica Expansion at Charleston Site

  • Expansion driven by strong market demand for silica in green tires in the U.S.
  • Reinforces Evonik’s commitment to the silica business and regional growth
  • Investment supported by customer demand, engineering advancements, and local partnerships

Goose Creek, S.C., USA. Evonik, a global leader in silica production, is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a significant expansion at its Charleston site in South Carolina’s Berkeley County. This new development will boost the production capacity of precipitated silica by 50%, catering to the increasing demand from the tire industry, particularly for green tires in the U.S.

“North America is a crucial growth region for us,” says Guido Skudlarek, Evonik’s President 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 has been meticulously preparing for this step, driven by strong customer and market pull, positive engineering updates, and robust support from site partners and local authorities.

“With this expansion, our Charleston site will become a key hub for sustainable silica products in North America,” says Lauren Kjeldsen, Head of the Smart Materials Division, which includes the silica business. “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. “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 Tax at Evonik.

“Berkeley County is proud of its diverse industrial sector—one that is thriving and growing. 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,” said Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb.

Evonik is proud to support the local community by providing a donation to the Berkeley County School District Career & Technical Education Department for the development of their manufacturing and automation courses.

Evonik’s focus on sustainability is a core aspect of this expansion. “Our teams have worked diligently over the years to develop a comprehensive expansion plan,” says Emmanuel Auer, Head of the Silica Business Line. “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.

Silica is essential for producing fuel-efficient tires, which can reduce fuel consumption by up to eight percent compared to conventional tires. The demand for such tires in North America is growing rapidly, driven by the need for improved fuel efficiency and reduced rolling resistance.

Evonik has consistently invested in modernizing its silica production and making strategic acquisitions globally to strengthen its business. The Charleston facilities are part of a network of 18 precipitated silica production sites worldwide.

Evonik is a leading global manufacturer of silica. In addition to the precipitated silica brands ULTRASIL®, ZEODENT®, and SIPERNAT®, the company also produces fumed silica under the brand name AEROSIL® and other products for various industries worldwide.

About Evonik

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €15.3 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.66 billion in 2023. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable, and sustainable solutions for customers. About 32,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow.

ABOUT SMART MATERIALS

The Smart Materials division includes businesses with innovative materials that enable resource-saving solutions and replace conventional materials. They are the smart answer to the major challenges of our time: environment, energy efficiency, urbanization, mobility and health. The Smart Materials division generated sales of €4.46 billion in 2023 with more than 8,100 employees.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.