Shin-Etsu sets up department for ‘sustainable silicone’ development

Tokyo – Shin-Etsu Chemical has set up a business department dedicated to sustainable silicone development to drive a recently announced Yen100 billion (€650 million) investment programme within its silicones business (ERJ report).

In a statement 28 Sept, the group said expectations for environmentally friendly silicones products are high and demand for such products is anticipated to increase.

The group, is therefore, aiming to strengthen its silicones business by “quickly capturing such demand, developing new products, and establishing a production and supply chain.”

To be based at its headquarters in Tokyo, the unit will start operation 1 Oct and will be part of Shin-Etsu’s broader silicone division.

Its activities will include “market research and sales promotion aimed at the development of environmentally friendly silicones products.”

Shin-Etsu unveiled its most recent major silicones invsetment in July, saying the programme aimed at expanding applications for its products as well as enhancing the functionality of products portfolio.

Furthermore, the project will lead to an expansion of the group's line-up of environmentally friendly silicones, with investments planned at its sites in Gunma Prefecture; Naoetsu, Niigata Prefecture and Takefu, Fukui Prefecture.