Facts and Figures Dimona Silica Industries ltd (DSI) is a manufacturer of precipitated silica and calcium carbonate products. The company was formed in 1991 in the «A» economic zone of Israel in , the Negev Desert, and has a status of privileged enterprise with granted benefits. The location provides for an abundant raw material supply. The plant is located between the Red and the Mediterranean Sea enabling DSI to access both Asian and European markets. DSI's precipitated silica and calcium carbonate manufacturing process is based on  porcellanite mineral mining and processing. Porcellanite is a waste material of phosphate mining. The vast deposit of easily accessible porcellanite in the Negev Desert arises from the continual phosphate mining in that area. The reserve exceeds 7 million tons of porcellanite containing 40-45% of amorphous Silicon Dioxide. The estimated annual output of DSI manufacturing facilities is about 20,000 Mt/y on every production line. It can be scaled up to 200,000 Mt/y due to the abundant raw material supply. Mr. Efraim Fienblum is the founder and CEO of Dimona Silica Industries ltd. He is a prominent businessman and engineer with years of expertise in the field and lots of successful projects in his commercial portfolio. Mr. Fienblum was the Caplan prize winner in the Industry field in 1978 and 1985. DSI History Highlights Pre-building stage. Product research and testing together with VAMI (Russian Institute of Aluminum and Magnesium Industries). 29.01.2004. A first brick of the foundation was laid during the official ceremony with participation of today's Israeli prime-minister Mr. Ehud Olmert and Mr. Meyer Cohen, the mayor of Dimona city. 01.07.2004. A pilot-plant in the Negev Desert in Dimona, Israel was launched. A new silica pilot-plant with  production capacity of 500 kg per day was launched in autumn 2006. The pilot batches are being produced for testing in tire tread compounds. Marketing samples of Dimosil GT and conventional grades are now tested by our customers. To promote further Israeli manufacturing industry DSI is now estimating local soda ash and sodium silicate potential. Plant construction will be completed by the  first quarter of 2009.