Merck starts up new production line for silica based effect pigments
Merck has started up a second production line for silica-based effect pigments in Gernsheim, Germany. Around 750 employees work at this site, which is the company’s largest pigment production facility worldwide.
The investment is intended to significantly increase the production capacity for silicon dioxide platelets, a special substrate used, among other things, for Merck’s automotive coatings product lines. These pigments offer a colour shift depending on the viewing angle.
Strengthening the production site overall
According to the company, the investment of almost EUR 28 million in a second silica production line in Gernsheim is intended to strengthen the production site overall. It is also intended to promote the unique selling points of silica-based pigments within the global pigment portfolio of Merck’s Surface Solutions business unit.
“Silica-based pigments offer a whole range of unique effects that are extremely well received by our customers and perfectly serve current market trends,” said Jeff White, head of Surface Solutions at Merck. “With this state-of-the-art production facility, we will significantly increase capacity for silica-based pigments in Gernsheim, giving us the flexibility to take advantage of existing growth opportunities.”
