WESTON, MI - Evonik Industries AG has acquired Silbond Corp., Weston, MI, a supplier of silicic acid esters. The transaction closed on February 28, 2014. As a special group of functional silanes, silicic acid esters are used in a variety of applications including coatings. Silbond manufactures one of the most important silicic acid esters, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS).

Executives at Evonik noted that the acquisition improves the company’s position in the silines market and opens the door to the North American region, allowing the company to supply North American customers with TEOS from a local production site.

Evonik already produces functional silanes at its sites in Rheinfelden (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), Rizhao (China) and Mobile, AL.

Among its many applications, TEOS is used as a binder for foundry molds and in anti-corrosion paints.