a Production Lines at Two Asian Sites

Solvay Launches Recycled Silica Production Lines at Two Asian Sites

News dated July 3: Belgian chemical firm Solvay announced the official launch of precipitation silica production lines at its facilities in Qingdao and Gunsan, South Korea. The lines adopt ISCC Plus certified waste sand as raw material, and this circular manufacturing model will be rolled out worldwide later.

Earlier this year, Solvay opened the world’s first bio-circular silica plant in Livorno, Italy. The facility produces high-dispersion silica for tires using rice husk ash, pioneering a production route based on biomass feedstock. The new waste sand lines in Asia mark another milestone in the company’s circular material roadmap.

The development of these two circular production lines mainly serves the tire industry’s target of sourcing 40% of raw materials from circular sources by 2030, while strengthening Solvay’s position as a key supplier of low-carbon mobility materials.

Financially, Solvay’s silica business faced headwinds in 2025, posting sales of 515 million euros, a year-on-year drop of 5.1% with an organic decline of 2.6%. The downturn stemmed primarily from sluggish overall demand across the tire market.

Despite revenue pressure, Solvay keeps ramping up its low-carbon transition. It actively replaces conventional mineral feedstock with waste sand and biomass to supply low-carbon silica products to tire manufacturers.