DÜSSELDORF, Germany - Degussa AG formally announced the start-up of a new AEROSIL fumed-silica production plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, southeast of Bangkok. The plant is operated by Thai Aerosil Co. Ltd., a wholly owned Degussa subsidiary, and has an annual capacity of several thousand metric tons. Carl Voigt, head of Degussa's Coatings & Advanced Fillers Division, said the plant represents the latest step in the company's strategy to increase its presence in the rapidly growing Asian market by means of "targeted acquisitions and strategic partnerships."