AkzoNobel to Expand Colloidal Silica Capacity in Sweden; Invests €4 mn

AkzoNobel’s speciality chemicals business said that it is investing more than €4 million to increase production capacity in Sweden for its Levasil CC-branded product line of patented surface modified colloidal silica. The expansion will help meet growing customer demand and will strengthen the company’s market leadership position.

A product of two natural ingredients – sand and water – colloidal silica is a versatile product which enhances and improves key functionalities of other products and manufacturing processes. With production facilities in Asia (Taiwan and China), Europe (Germany and Sweden) and the Americas (Brazil and US), AkzoNobel is a leading global producer of colloidal silica products. The business’ main markets include electronics, coatings, construction and catalysts, as well as batteries.

The expansion, at the Bohus facility close to Gothenburg, is expected to be completed by late 2018. It is the latest initiative aimed to fuel further growth of AkzoNobel’s colloidal silica business. Last year the business commissioned a new lab and implemented an innovative process step that boosted production capacity of Levasil products.

“Within our Levasil Colloidal Silica brand, we have a very diverse product portfolio and are experiencing growing demand in various markets, such as coatings, where Levasil CC supports the industry in its switch from solvent-borne coatings to waterborne alternatives,” said Ann Lindgarde, director of Levasil colloidal silica at AkzoNobel.

“This is a significant investment which not only strengthens our leadership position but also underlines our commitment to growing with our customers and meeting their changing needs,” said Niek Stapel, managing director of AkzoNobel’s pulp and performance chemicals business.

“More than 50 percent of colloidal silica revenue comes from Eco-Premium products, which offer our customers more sustainability benefits than competitive products. The increasing demand for Levasil CC, as well as other products in the Levasil portfolio, mirrors a growing demand for products with clear sustainability benefits,” added Stapel.