Grace Doubles LUDOX® Colloidal Silica Capacity with Major European Plant Opening

Manufacturers in diverse industries use LUDOX® colloidal silica in myriad applications as a functional ingredient and as a processing aid. Despite citations in over 30,000 patents and an abundance of existing successful applications including catalysts, investment casting binders, coatings and refractory additives, LUDOX® colloidal silicas still have considerable untapped potential with new and innovative uses continuing to emerge. Grace’s proprietary manufacturing process produces an extremely narrow particle size distribution and allows LUDOX® colloidal silica particles to be chemically customized for use in a wide range of challenging applications.

Built on more than half a century of technical and manufacturing expertise, Grace’s LUDOX® colloidal silica has earned a reputation for tightly-controlled specifications and reliable, consistent quality, making it the preferred brand for high-performance applications. 

Located in Germany’s manufacturing heartland south of Frankfurt where the company has been operating since 1972, the new facility expands Grace’s manufacturing center in Worms adding approximately 25 new high-tech manufacturing jobs bringing employment at the site to approximately 950. The company’s East Chicago, Indiana LUDOX® colloidal silica plant continues to supply Grace’s customers in the Americas. In comments at the facility’s opening, Sandra Wisniewski, President, Grace Materials Technologies, said, “Our advanced new plant enables us to better support our customers and partners and allows us to remain aligned with customer demand. This expansion, combined with our existing manufacturing facilities, talented and experienced employees, and best-in-class technologies, are evidence of exciting growth at Grace and our dedication to our LUDOX® colloidal silica customers worldwide.”

Sebastian Schaefer, Grace’s Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain, EMEA, added: “With 250,000 square meters of site property, Worms is one of Grace’s largest production facilities, serving both as a center of best practice and as a hub for the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. The new plant allows us to further enhance our broad portfolio of products and will strengthen Worms as a cornerstone of our services in our Refining Technologies, Specialty Catalysts, and Materials Technologies operating segments. Overall, today’s announcement is a real step change for Grace and the future of the colloidal silica market.”

About Grace

Built on talent, technology, and trust, Grace is a leading global specialty chemical company. The company’s two industry-leading business segments—Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies—provide innovative products, technologies, and services that enhance the products and processes of our customers around the world. With approximately 4,000 employees, Grace operates and/or sells to customers in over 60 countries. More information about Grace is available at grace.com.