Wacker Chemie AG, the Munich-based chemical group, officially started construction on the HDK pyrogenic silica plant located adjacent to Wacker’s Charleston, TN polysilicon plant. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives from politics, business and local government. Wacker Executive Board Member, Auguste Willems, State of Tennessee dignitaries and local officials broke ground for the new plant.

With the USA being the second largest chemical market, the Charleston, TN HDK pyrogenic silica plant will enable Wacker to keep pace with growing demand for this indispensable product,” said Auguste Willems. “This new facility is a key component of Charleston’s supply chain. It is the next step toward expanding Charleston into a fully integrated silicon site,” he explained, emphasizing the strategic importance of Wacker’s investment.

The main by-product of polysilicon manufacturing is tetrachlorosilane. This either has to be converted and fed back into the production loop, or it can be used to create added-value by being further processed into HDK. By integrating the polysilicon and HDK production systems, Wacker achieves optimum flexibility in reprocessing tetrachlorosilane into a marketable product.

“HDK is used as a rheology-control additive in paints and adhesives, as filler in silicone elastomers and also serves as a flow aid in personal care products and cosmetics and used as an anti-caking agent in the pharmaceutical and food-processing industries.