Press Releases

Ineos Silicas is pleased to announce that the first phase of a multi-million pound investment in silica gel manufacturing and micronisation capacity has recently been sanctioned. The expenditure will focus largely on the Joliet, USA plant but equipment to streamline the larger facility in Warrington, UK has also been sanctioned. These investments will increase the global gel capacity by 20%. Plant commissioning will be carried out during Q2 2003 allowing full benefit of increased capacity in Q3. Further plans have been developed to increase total capacity by 50% as the market grows.

This expansion follows closely behind the opening of a new technical service facility in Asia announced in November and the company has plans to increase its presence in the rapidly growing Chinese market in the near future.

"This investment demonstrates the commitment INEOS has to its Silicas business" says Andy Currie, Director of INEOS Capital and Chairman of INEOS Silicas. 

"This expansion is required to meet the growing demand for our products globally in the key applications of beverage processing, polymerisation catalysis, surface coating matting agents and plastic film anti-block" says CEO Brian Foster. "This is the largest single investment made by the business since its acquisition from ICI at the beginning of 2001 and demonstrates our continued commitment to the silica market".

Notes for editors:

INEOS Silicas is a leading global manufacturer of silicates, zeolites, silicas and related products with manufacturing sites in the UK (Warrington), Netherlands (Eijsden), USA (Joliet), Brazil (Jacana and Rio Claro), South Africa (Durban and Johanesburg) and Indonesia (Pasaruan). There is also an Asia Pacific regional sales organisation based in Singapore. The business employs ca 900 people globally and has sales approaching €300m p/a. The business formerly known as Crosfield was acquired in January 2001 from ICI.