PPG Industries is increasing its precipitated silica production capacity at its Lake Charles, USA manufacturing location by more than 22,000 tons per year in response to growing demand.
“Last September, we announced an increase in our global precipitated silica production capacity of more than 18,000 tons per year through phased expansion projects at our Lake Charles, USA and Delfzijl, Netherlands, manufacturing locations,” said Kevin Braun, PPG General Manager, silica products. “Our plan is on-schedule and these projects are already online or scheduled to be online by the end of 2012.
“We expect continued market growth in the coming years, and this investment will enable us to keep pace with the growing needs of key strategic customers and segments in the Americas,” Mr Braun added.
According to Mr Braun, the new expansion project is expected be online by early 2014, with employment at the site increasing slightly as a result.