Grace completes expansion of its manufacturing facility in Sorocaba, Brazil, Nov. 21; expansion enables Grace to grow silica gel output for renewable fuels industry, mainly biodiesel, renewable biodiesel, as well as other consumer, industrial applications

Alison Gallant

COLUMBIA, Maryland and SOROCABA, Brazil , November 21, 2011 (press release) – W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA - News) is celebrating the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Sorocaba, Brazil today with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, customers and employees.

The expansion enables Grace to increase production of silica gel for the renewable fuels industry, particularly for biodiesel and renewable diesel, as well as other consumer and industrial applications. Grace’s TriSyl® silica improves a refinery’s economics by removing contaminants from natural oil feedstocks more efficiently than alternative products.

Greg Poling, President and Chief Operating Officer of W. R. Grace & Co., commented, “This expansion represents a significant investment in Latin America as part of our strategy to strengthen our presence in emerging regions. With this additional capacity, we are positioned to provide even more resources for our local and regional customers.”

Mr. Poling continued, “I’d like to thank the team involved in this expansion. They completed the construction on time and on budget with no recordable or lost time safety incidents.”

The Sorocaba site began silica production in 1984 and is currently Grace’s largest facility in Latin America. The site produces more than 50 grades of silica that are used for applications such as paints, plastics, beer and other beverages, pharmaceuticals and edible oils. Grace has produced more than 100,000 tons of silica in Sorocaba that have been exported throughout Latin America. The site also manufactures can coatings and cement and concrete additives and houses a research and development center and technical customer service lab.

About Grace

Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts and other products to petroleum refiners; catalysts for the manufacture of plastics; silica-based engineered and specialty materials for a wide range of industrial applications; sealants and coatings for food and beverage packaging, and specialty chemicals, additives and building materials for commercial and residential construction. Founded in 1854, Grace has operations in over 40 countries. For more information, visit Grace’s web site at www.grace.com.

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