Evonik Announces Plans to Close Two Silica Plants in North America

Specialty chemicals provider Evonik announced plans to close its fumed silica production facility in Waterford, New York, and the precipitated silica production in Havre de Grace, Maryland, as part of an ongoing strategic asset network optimization program to enhance efficiencies. The Waterford site will cease production in mid-2025. Havre de Grace will continue to operate until mid-2026.

"Structural changes in markets and industries have caused the need for a strategic repositioning of our asset network," said Emmanuel Auer, global head of the Evonik Smart Effects Business Line, which includes the silica business. "We need to improve competitiveness, optimize costs, reduce complexity, and thus achieve a more robust business structure. New hub concepts, the use of economies-of-scale and backward integration with partners are being considered. The planned closure of Waterford and Havre de Grace and the corresponding relocation of the production is part of this process."