Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • LogIn
  • News
  • Technology Focus
    • Features
    • Technical Papers
    • Analysis: Rubber mixing plants of the future
      Analysis: US probes dumping by ESBR suppliers
      Opinion: Tire labels stuck in a rut
      Analysis: NR pricing takes one step forward, two steps back
    • White paper: Role of tire innerliners in improving 'in-use rolling resistance'
      White paper: Why tire air retention matters now more than ever
      Nippon Soda: Use of 1,2-polybutadiene in CSM rubber applications
      Elastomers for Sustainability Top 10
  • Events
    • ERJ Events
    • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Journey to Automation Awards 2020
      Sustainability: Top 10 E4S projects table
  • Maps & Reports
  • People
  • Directory
  • Digital Edition
  • Brainiac
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
November 15, 2017 12:00 AM

Wacker further expands production in China

Shahrzad Pourriahi
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Munich, Germany – Wacker Chemie AG will expand its production capabilities for silicone and polymer products in China, and reinforce its research and development capability to strengthen its market position in the region.

    Wacker is expanding its solid silicone rubber manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang, as well as its production capacity for vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer dispersions at its plant in Nanjing, according to a recent press release. Wacker's technical centre in Shanghai also will be expanded with the addition of new R&D labs for silicone fluids and resins, pyrogenic silica and room-temperature-curing silicone elastomers.

    food application lab for products from the Wacker Biosolutions division also is scheduled. An investment of about €20m has been earmarked for these expansion projects. Most of the funds will be used for technical measures to eliminate production bottlenecks and expand capacity, the company said.

    One investment focus is on the Zhangjiagang site, where Wacker manufactures pyrogenic silica and several silicone products, including solid silicone rubber. By building a new production line, the company will add several thousand metric tons of solid silicone rubber capacity in the future, it said. At the Nanjing polymer site, process engineering improvements for the manufacture of VAE dispersions will boost the annual production capacity by up to about 33,100 tonnes. The processes are expected to be completed in the second half of 2018, the company said.

    Greater China is one of the company's most important business regions. It remains Wacker's largest single market, and it represents one fourth of group sales, said Wacker CEO Rudolf Staudigl. Demand for silicones and polymer products in China has been growing steadily, but due to high plant capacity utilisation, additional volumes are almost impossible.

    "This will help us support our customers' growth and strengthen our market position in the region long-term," said Staudigl.

    Wacker also will expand the company's R&D facilities in Shanghai, which already is home to a technical centre. By the end of 2018, Shanghai will have additional silicone labs for the development of new products and applications in areas such as coatings, construction and consumer care, the company said.

    The expansion project also includes the R&D lab for room-temperature curing silicon elastomers, which develops adhesives and sealants for construction and industrial applications. A new application lab catering to the growing needs of the local food industry also will be built, the company said.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    German rubber industry to return to double-digit growth in 2021
    German rubber industry to return to double-digit growth in 2021
    Yokohama rings the changes with YX2023
    Yokohama rings the changes with YX2023
    Synthomer dismisses takeover reports
    Synthomer dismisses takeover reports
    Free Newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Get the latest news impacting the European rubber industry, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    Logo
    Contact Us

    @ 2019 European Rubber Journal. 
    European Rubber Journal is published bi-monthly by NUERJ Ltd.

    Registered Office: Castle House, 89 High Street,
    Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 2DF, United Kingdom. 

    Tel. + 44 (0)203 196 0141 

    Registered No. 13104613 England

    Email: [email protected]

    Website www.european-rubber-journal.com

    Customer service 

    Tel. + 44 (0)203 196 0141 

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
    • Technology Focus
      • Features
      • Technical Papers
    • Events
      • ERJ Events
      • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
      • Industry Events
    • Maps & Reports
    • People
    • Directory
    • Digital Edition
    • Brainiac