MUNICH, Germany – The Munich-based chemical Group WACKER has successfully concluded registration of its pyrogenic silicas in the "silicon dioxide" substance group according to the REACH regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction processes for chemical substances. This was announced by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in mid-March. The Helsinki-located agency confirmed that the registration documents were complete as per REACH. WACKER is now one of the first companies in the world authorized to continue manufacturing, importing and marketing pyrogenic silicas without restriction.

 

In pre-registering its pyrogenic silica with the trade name HDK® back in early June 2008, WACKER was already performing the groundwork for its early registration. The REACH registration that has now been completed is based on a comprehensive substance dossier prepared by an industrial consortium in which WACKER has an active part. The dossier contains a wide range of physicochemical and other data on this substance group, including the results of toxicological, epidemiological and ecotoxicological studies especially conducted for this purpose.

 

WACKER manufactures HDK by the hydrolysis of volatile chlorosilanes in an oxyhydrogen flame. That produces a high-purity amorphous silicon dioxide powder, known as pyrogenic silica. Besides high purity, HDK is also characterized by the immense specific surface area of its particles. This property is responsible for the substance's wide range of technologically attractive properties.