(GUNSAN=NEWSIS) Solvay Silica Korea held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Saemangeum Industrial Complex on April 27 for its high dispersion and premium silica production plant for tires.

About 100 people attended the ceremony, including Solvay Silica President An Nuyttens, Solvay Asia Pacific President Martin Laudenbach, Commissioner Lee Byoung-gook of the Korea Agency for Saemangeum Development & Investment, North Jeolla Province Governor Song Ha-jin and Gunsan City Mayor Moon Dong-shin.

Solvay Silica Korea will invest KRW 121 billion in the Saemangeum plant by 2017 to produce 72,000 tons of silica for tire manufacturing, annually.

The Saemangeum plant will be equipped with state-of-the-art innovative process technology through adopting third-generation process technology from its headquarters.

Now that the plant can produce premium silica, which had only been produced in France, expectations are high for import substitution effects and increased exports to Asian markets including China and Japan.

"Premium silica, an eco-friendly material that reduces the abrasion of tires, enhances brake capability on dried and wet surfaces to reduce drive resistance and carbon emissions. We will strive to invest more in the Saemangeum area by developing new technologies to revitalize the regional economy and create more jobs,” said An.

"Solvay Silica Korea will become the export base for supplying premium silica to Asian markets, including Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia," said Moon.

k9900@newsis.com

Source Text

Source: Newsis (April 27, 2015)

** This article was translated from the Korean.