History
SILMACO, Silicates Manufacturing Company, was founded by Willy Machiels and Giuseppe Ongeri as a small family-run business. These two gentlemen made the perfect combination. Mr. Machiels had the necessary experience in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and felt that he could deliver a higher quality product and work more efficient. He took the general management and production for his account, while Mr. Ongeri managed the commercial side of the business.
SILMACO starts the production of liquid sodium silicates. For the production of liquids two methods are used. With the hydrothermal process, silver sand is reacted with caustic soda and water. The result is an alkaline liquid sodium silicate with a molar ratio less than 2,5. With the furnace process, soda and sand are fused at temperatures above 1000°C. A sodium silicate glass is obtained with a molar ratio that is usually greater than 2,5. The resulting glass lumps can be dissolved to produce silicates with molar ratios up to 3,5.
SILMACO begins the production of sodium metasilicate pentahydrate (M5). There is a big demand for sodium metasilicate for the detergent industry. From the beginning, our metasilicate pentahydrate is produced at a high quality standard to guarantee a pure and free-flowing product. Our production method is such that the risk of partial inactivity due to CO2 contamination is minimal as there is no contact between our products and the combustion gasses.
Subsequently, starts the production of sodium metasilicate nonahydrate (M9). Our unique production process guarantees a dry and stable product with nine water molecules. Our sodium metasilicate nonahydrate has become a reference product in the ceramic and refractory industry.
Finally, to complete the range of metasilicates, starts the production of sodium metasilicate anhydrous (M0). The high temperature needed to obtain the anhydrous form in combination with the high alkalinity of the product makes it high demanding process. By carefully carrying out maintenance programs and regular investments we have shown to be a reliable partner for this product. The high purity of our product is highly recognized in applications such as hair bleaching and metal surface treatment.
10 years of Silmaco are marked by the construction of new offices and the start of our R&D lab. Our R&D lab works in close collaboration with customers that are looking for implementing silicates in their application. In this way, our product development in customer driven. For more fundamental studies or specific measurements we are working together with universities and external research institutes. Our R&D lab is also supporting our own production by helping optimizing new production methods and by introducing new measurement techniques in the QA-lab.
The demand for customized products keeps growing... SILMACO invests in a new mixing division including an own barrel tap. This allows SILMACO to prepare tailor made mixtures and to supply goods in smaller packaging. For some applications customers ask to add specific ingredients to our standard silicates. Today, our well equipped mixing division dispose of vessels of different sizes which allows us to prepare batches ranging from 1000 L towards 25.000 L.
SILMACO expands it's sodium metasilicate nonahydate (M9) production capacity.
February 9th 2007 is marked as a sad day, with the death of Mr. Machiels. Heidi Machiels follows in her father's footsteps.
Our R&D lab is extended with pilot plant which is equipped with a mini reactor and granulator. In our test factory we are able to develop new products in liquid and granular form and to produce them at small scale. Our pilot plant is also a test center for validating new process techniques and raw materials. And last but not least, it serves as a training center for our operators.
A new storage for chemicals is build.
In order to increase the production capacity in our granulation division and to improve our energy efficiency, an investment was made in the extension and renewal our continuous evaporator which concentrates the spraying liquor necessary for the spray-granulation.
Construction of a new state-of-the art granulation plant, including a grinding division and the implementation of a new packaging line. Since the start of the new granulation plant, our product portfolio of solids was expanded with hydrated sodium disilicate and trisilicate. Both products are available in granular and powder form.
25 years of SILMACO.
Implementation of new warehouse in our granulation division, which doubles our storage capacity for granules and powders.
Customized Silicates
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We are happy to work with you to adjust our products to fit your specific needs !
About Silmaco.
Silmaco is a family business with more than 30 years of experience in the production of high-quality and customized silicates. Our flexibility, focus on innovation and quality guarantees your company a carefree service and the most appropriate silicate for your application.
40 people
100 000 T/y of Sodium Silicates
Selling over 5 continents and in 60 countries