PITTSBURGH -- PPG Industries announced that it is increasing its global precipitated silica production capacity by more than 18,000 tons per year in response to growing global demand. The capacity expansion includes projects at PPGs Lake Charles, La., and Delfzijl, Netherlands, manufacturing locations.

"PPG is committed to the precipitated silica market, and these investments will enable us to continue meeting the growing needs of our customers for high-quality precipitated silica," said Kevin Braun, PPG General Manager, Silica Products.

Braun said that some of the capacity will begin to come online during the fourth quarter 2011, and that the expansion projects will be completed by the end of 2012. Employment at each site will increase slightly as a result of the expansion projects, he said.

PPG pioneered the development of synthetic precipitated silica, becoming one of the first manufacturers to bring them to market in the 1930s. Today, PPGs silica products business is a global leader in the manufacture of precipitated silica for tire, battery separator, carrier, coatings, industrial rubber, footwear and silicone end-use applications. The business also makes TESLIN substrate, a microporous sheet material used for card, specialty print, in-mold graphic, tag and label use, as well as technology-focused applications such as e-Passports and radio frequency identification (RFID) cards and labels.