SILICA FUME

As an offshoot of our commitment to protecting the environment, we have developed markets for most of the byproducts generated by our production processes, transforming our manufacturing operations largely into closed-loops requiring very little solid waste disposal. The largest volume byproduct of our activities that is not recycled into our own manufacturing processes is silica fume (also known as microsilica). This dust-like material, collected in our plants' air filtration systems, is used as feedstock in the production of concrete additives, refractory materials and oil well conditioners.

Our U.S. Globe Metallurgical unit sells its raw silica fume principally to our 50%-owned affiliate, Norchem Concrete Products, who process it into final products. Our Brazilian unit, Globe Metais, processes and markets its fume directly under the brand names Silmix™ and Ecopowder™. Our Argentine unit, Globe Metales, supplies its fume directly to concrete producers. Globe Metais is the only Brazilian silicon producer that captures its fume instead of releasing it into the environment.