Nouryon announced the expansion of production capacity for its premium Levasil® colloidal silica at its manufacturing facility in Guangzhou. With this move, the company aims to meet rising demand across fast-growing sectors such as emissions control catalysts, electrical steel coatings, and non-stick cookware coatings in the Asia-Pacific region.
Bringing Production Closer to Customers
By expanding its China operations, Nouryon is positioning itself closer to key customers. As a result, the company will be able to supply a broader portfolio of premium Levasil grades with significantly shorter lead times. This strategic shift not only improves supply reliability but also enables manufacturers to accelerate the development and scaling of next-generation industrial technologies.
Expanding Applications Across Key Industries
Levasil colloidal silica plays a crucial role in several high-performance industrial applications as:
Emissions Control Catalysts: It helps automotive and industrial equipment meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Electrical Steel Coatings: It enhances the energy efficiency of transformers used in modern power grids.
Non-Stick Cookware Coatings: It improves durability, performance, and longevity of coating systems.
Demand for advanced colloidal silica continues to grow as industries focus on sustainability and high-performance materials.
Leadership Insights on Market Growth
Patrick Wilhelm, Vice President for Growth Accelerator Industrials at Nouryon, highlighted the importance of this investment. He noted that China’s technology-driven industries are evolving rapidly, making access to advanced colloidal silica a competitive necessity. Furthermore, he emphasized that the expansion reinforces Nouryon’s role as a long-term partner for customers developing complex catalyst and coating solutions.
Sobers Sethi, Senior Vice President for Emerging Markets and China, pointed out that Asia-Pacific remains one of the most dynamic markets for premium colloidal silica. He added that strengthening regional production ensures Nouryon can grow alongside its customers while addressing increasing demand for advanced materials.
Strengthening Innovation and Regional Presence
Notably, this capacity expansion follows the launch of Nouryon’s innovation center in Shanghai in November 2025. The facility houses eight specialized laboratories, including a dedicated lab for Levasil applications in catalyst technologies. Together, these investments demonstrate Nouryon’s commitment to driving innovation, enhancing customer collaboration, and supporting long-term growth across the Asia-Pacific region.
Supporting Diverse Business Segments
The Levasil colloidal silica product line remains a versatile offering within Nouryon’s portfolio. It serves catalyst applications under the Resource Solutions segment and supports coatings formulations within the Performance Materials segment. As per the press release, as demand for high-performance and sustainable materials continues to rise, Nouryon’s expanded capabilities position the company to play a key role in enabling advanced industrial solutions worldwide.
