Solvay’s new circular highly dispersible silica (HDS),

supported by global tire manufacturers, will significantly increase the use of sustainable raw material and reduce the CO2 footprint in the tire industry.

Solvay is investing at its Livorno site, in Italy, to launch the company’s first unit of circular highly dispersible silica (HDS), made with bio-based sodium silicate derived from rice husk ash. This new breakthrough silicate process provides a circular solution as it gives a second life to rice husk in a local value chain. Coupled with renewable energy integration at the plant, it will allow Solvay to achieve a 50% reduction in CO₂ per ton of silica. This will make the Livorno site Europe’s best in class silica production site in terms of CO₂ footprint. Production is expected to start by the end of 2024.

The Group will gradually replace its existing Zeosil^® portfolio with circular HDS, providing a circular solution for tires that will contribute both to increasing the use of sustainable raw materials and reducing the tire industry’s CO₂ footprint. This new generation of precipitated silica will also address the needs of the home & personal care and the feed & food industries. 

Solvay, the worldwide innovation leader in highly dispersible silica, is the first company to commit to circular HDS production at a European site within a concrete timeframe and is now focused on building the necessary ecosystem to bring it to market. Through the implementation of this competitive rice husk ash (RHA) proprietary process in Europe, the company is able to ensure consistent product quality by leveling out variability of agro feedstocks.