Evonik's Insilco to switch to coal fired hot air unit at Gajraula unit

Evonik Industries on June 29, 2015 announced that it has started basic engineering for switch from diesel to coal fired hot air unit at Insilco Ltd’s Gajraula (Uttar Pradesh) facility for precipitated silica. The estimated investment for the project, which is scheduled for completion in late 2016, is expected in the low single-digit million Euro range.
 
Frank Lelek, regional president of Evonik India and managing director of Insilco Ltd, said, “Evonik has a strong innovation culture and investment projects are aimed at utilising potential for sustained profitable growth and value creation. Change of source of energy to coal will result in significant cost savings in the area of energy consumption. By doing so, we will continue to maintain our position as a leading supplier of silica in the Indian subcontinent.”
 
Between 2010 and 2014, Evonik increased its global capacity for precipitated silica by around 30 percent. Catering to a rising demand, Insilco wants to continue offering its customers high-quality silica combined with customised service and high supply reliability. Insilco Ltd manufactures conventional as well as highly dispersible silica. Lately, the demand for highly dispersible silica is growing in India, specifically influenced by change in demographics and higher sales growth for tyres with reducing rolling resistance.
 
By using a silica-silane combination, manufacturers are able to produce tyres that allow for fuel savings of up to eight percent, thanks to a significantly reduced rolling assistance (compared to conventional passenger car tires). Low rolling resistance tyres thus make a contribution to climate protection. Evonik is the only producer to offer both components and a highly competent partner for high-performance tyre manufacturers.
 
Insilco, a subsidiary of Evonik in India, has been producing precipitated silica for more than 20 years. The company has an annual capacity of around 21,000 metric tonnes for precipitated silica.