The new dispersion plant will initially focus on water-based dispersions of fumed silica, which are part of the comprehensive lineup of Aerodisp dispersions. Additional products include dispersions of fumed alumina, fumed titanium dioxide and fumed mixed oxide.
Liquid dispersions have several advantages over powder, including they are easier to handle; easier to pump and dose; reduce transportation and storage costs; and are efficiently dispersed - simple mix-in is sufficient, eliminating the need for high-shear equipment. They also improve clarity of adhesives, coatings and sealants.
The dispersions add value in several different applications, including increasing clarity and scratch-resistance of paint and coating systems and for coil coating.
As a producer of fumed silicas and other metal oxides sold by the Aerosil & Silanes Business Unit under the Aerosil brand name, Degussa has production sites in Rheinfelden and Leverkusen (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), Roussillon (France) and also in the United States, in Mobile, Ala., and Waterford, N.Y. Yokkaichi (Japan) and Map Ta Phut (Thailand) supply the Asian region.
