Evonik acquires US silicic acid ester supplier

German speciality chemicals firm Evonik has acquired Silbond, a top supplier of silicic acid esters based in Michigan, US. The deal, which Evonik says is in the mid-double digit million euro range, was completed on 28 February.

Silicic acid esters are a group of functional silanes used to make a wide variety of functional polymers including adhesives, sealants and coatings, as well as semiconductors for the electronics industry. Silbond produces one of the most commercially important silicic acid esters – tetraethyl orthosilicate – which is used in semiconductor production and as a cross-linking agent in silicone polymers.

Evonik already has functional silane production facilities in Germany, Belgium, China and the US. The acquisition of the Michigan site will offer it the chance to extend its production network across the US.