Sino-U.S. fumed silica joint venture to undergo expansion

Jan. 20, 2010
China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina), the nation's largest chemicals producer, has confirmed that its joint venture with Cabot Corporation of the United States for producing fumed silica in Jiangxi Province would be expanded.
An agreement has been signed between Bluestar New Chemical Materials Co Ltd, a subsidiary of ChemChina, and Cabot (China) Ltd, a subsidiary of Boston-based Cabot Corporation, to significantly expand fumed silica capacity of the companies' joint venture in Jiangxi, according to a document posted at the website of Cabot Corporation.
The two companies would increase production at the Jiangxi plant to 15,000 tons by 2011, making it the largest producer in the world. Further expansion plans are also in the works, Thursday's China Daily reported, citing a joint statement.
The Jiangxi project will further boost ChemChina's important organic-silicon business, the newspaper quoted ChemChina President Ren Jianxin as saying.
Fumed-silica is used as a thickening or anti-caking agent in foods. Other uses include the auto and construction industries for viscosity adjustment in paints, coatings, printing links, adhesives and polyester resins.
ChemChina reaped a profit of 910 million yuan (133.2 million U.S. dollars) last year, in spite of a widespread downturn in the global chemical industry.