Top Industry Leaders in the Silanes and Silicones Market
June 2023In support of Wollongong-based Sicona Battery Technologies' efforts to employ battery density-boosting technology developed at the University of Wollongong, investors led by Australian venture capital firm Artesian and Indian chemical conglomerate Himadri Speciality Chemical have contributed $22 million (USD 14.9 million) to the company.Touted as a potential game-changer for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which currently rule the electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy storage markets, Sicona is attempting to commercialise its high-capacity silicon anode technology.The primary offering of Sicona is a cutting-edge silicon metal-based silicon composite battery anode technology that allows for a more than 50% increase in the energy density of current Li-ion batteries.With its headquarters and pilot plant located in Wollongong, just south of Sydney, Sicona will be able to move forward with its plans to build a battery component manufacturing site in the United States, where anode material demand is expected to surpass 1,200 GWh by 2030. This is made possible by the most recent funding round. Before scaling up to 20 ktpa, the plant is expected to initially be able to produce about five kilo tonnes per annum (ktpa) of silicon-carbon material.August 2023The rubber silanes plant at Evonik Lanxing (Rizhao) Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. has expanded and begun production. Evonik is a global leader in specialty chemicals. Situated strategically in the Rizhao Lanshan Chemical Industrial Park in Shandong province, this cutting-edge facility is a joint venture between Evonik Industries AG, DEG (Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH), and Rizhao Lanxing Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.The enlarged facility was created expressly to accommodate the rubber and tyre industries' increasing need for environmentally friendly solutions.Key players Gelest, Inc., Schill+Seilacher “Struktol” GmbH, PCC SE, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., CHT Group, DowDuPont, Evonik Industries AG, Wacker Chemie AG, and SiVance, LLC