The move aims to satisfy accelerating demand across the Asia-Pacific region for high-performance applications, including emissions control catalysts, electrical steel coatings, and non-stick cookware.
Global specialty chemicals Nouryon has announced a major capacity expansion for its premium Levasil® colloidal silica at its manufacturing facility in Guangzhou (China).
By shifting production closer to its regional customer base, Nouryon expects to significantly reduce lead times and offer a broader portfolio of its advanced Levasil grades. Company officials state this localized supply chain is vital for manufacturers looking to scale next-generation industrial technologies.
"China's technology-driven industries are moving fast, and access to advanced colloidal silica is becoming a competitive necessity," said Patrick Wilhelm, Vice President for Growth Accelerator Industrials at Nouryon.
Levasil colloidal silica serves as a critical component across multiple sectors:
- Emissions Control:
Enables vehicles and industrial machinery to comply with stricter environmental regulations.
- Electrical Steel Coatings:
Enhances the energy efficiency of power grid transformers.
- Performance Coatings:
Improves the durability and quality of non-stick cookware.
The expansion builds upon Nouryon’s growing footprint in the region, following the November 2025 opening of its flagship innovation center in Shanghai, which features a laboratory dedicated specifically to Levasil catalyst technologies.
According to Sobers Sethi, Senior Vice President for Emerging Markets and China, the investment positions Nouryon to grow alongside Asia-Pacific's most dynamic markets, supporting both its Resource Solutions and Performance Materials segments.