Specialty chemicals and materials firm W.R. Grace & Co. has completed an expansion project at its specialty silica solutions manufacturing plant in Kuantan, Malaysia, the firm announce din a release Thursday.

“The Kuantan expansion is part of our ongoing commitment to support sustained market strength and global customer demand,” Sandra Wisniewski, president of Grace Materials Technologies, said in a statement. “With the expansion of our Worms, Germany facility in June 2020, Grace continues to showcase our customer commitment in both EMEA and Asia Pacific, and I am confident that we are successfully positioning ourselves for ongoing growth.”

Grace initiated the project in response to increased demand for its branded silica gel solutions, which is used in a range of applications, including biofuel and edible oil purification, stabilization and selective absorption of haze-forming proteins in beverages, anti-blocking in plastic films and bags, and matting furniture, coils, textile and leather.

“Our silica gel solutions continue to deliver value across a growing number of global and national customers who operate in increasingly stringent market. Grace technology continues to evolve and address ongoing regulatory and environmental sustainability requirements, and our expansion will undoubtedly play a major role in that continued effort,” said James Qiu, director of sales, Asia Pacific, for Grace.

The project was the fourth expansion Grace has carried out at the Kuantan plant.