INEOS Silicas Ltd has announced a major expansion in capacity for microspheroidal silica products, used as supports for polyolefin catalysts. A $10-15M investment aimed largely on the Warrington plant, will double capacity for the "ES" range of microspheroidal silica supports, used for Ziegler-Natta, the single-site & chromium-coated catalyst systems. Commissioning of the new capacity will take place in early 2006. At the same time, INEOS announced the sale of its small speciality high pore-volume, high surface-area chromium catalyst business to Basell. Meanwhile, INEOS implemented price increases of 9-12%, depending on grade, for all silica products from Nov/04. European prices were also increased for all Doucil zeolite grades by 10% from Dec/04. The price rises have been driven by cost increases in key raw materials, energy & freight.
