Degussa Wall Systems announced that it plans to significantly expand operations at its Lancaster, Texas, manufacturing site. The expansion will include the addition of a new, fully equipped, 65,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, bringing the total manufacturing area at the site to 100,000 square feet.

"This new facility enables us to better meet our current demands, as well as supporting our overall growth strategy," said Bill Kasik, president and CEO of Degussa Wall Systems. "In tandem with our other five facilities currently in place we are now positioned to achieve our goal of providing our customers with the industry's quickest order fulfillment capability."

According to Kevin Sullivan, director of manufacturing for Degussa Construction Chemicals Operations Inc., the process flow will be much improved and through the addition of new mixing equipment will greatly increase capacity to improve lead times and provide even better service for customers.

The expansion began in January and is scheduled for completion by early April.

In other company news, Degussa announced that it intends to increase prices by 6 percent for all Aerosil fumed silica grades, Aerodisp dispersions and Aeroxide fumed metal oxides sold in North America.

The price increase became effective February 1.

Significant increases in energy, transportation and raw material costs have made the price increase necessary.