Solvay Inaugurates Europe’s First Bio-circular Silica Facility in Italy

Solvay inaugurated its new bio-circular silica facility at its plant in Livorno, Italy, marking a major milestone in Europe’s industrial transformation toward sustainability. This investment positions Solvay as a proactive partner in achieving the European Green Deal objectives and the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), while reinforcing Italy’s role as a hub for green innovation.

The new unit produces highly dispersible silica (HDS) using bio-based sodium silicate derived from rice husk ash, an agricultural byproduct. This breakthrough process reduces CO₂ emissions by 35% per ton of silica compared to traditional methods and creates a local circular value chain that benefits the agricultural sector, industry and communities.

This inauguration is part of Solvay’s global circular silica strategy, which will convert other silica production sites worldwide to use ISCC® PLUS* certified raw material by 2026. Livorno remains unique as the first site to use rice husk ash, while other sites will leverage other local industrial waste streams. By adopting Solvay’s circular silica, tire manufacturers can already achieve up to 15% recycled or renewable materials in their tire composition, contributing significantly to their target of 40% by 2030.

The facility strengthens Solvay’s leadership in silica for energy-efficient tires, a key enabler of lower rolling resistance and reduced fuel consumption / extended battery range. It also underscores Italy’s strategic role in Solvay’s global sustainability roadmap, alongside major investments in green hydrogen and circular soda ash solutions.

Source: Solvay