Wacker commissions new speciality silicones plant in China

Zhangjiagang, China - Wacker Chemie AG has expanded its speciality silicones production in China with the addition of a new facility in Zhangjiagang, in the east coast province of Jiangsu.

The new production complex will add capacity to meet rising demand for speciality silicones in China and will manufacture silicone fluids, silicone emulsions and silicone elastomer gels.

The German group expects to ramp up production at the site over the coming months, said a company release 21 May.

Wacker said it invested “a low three-digit million-euro amount” in the expansion project.

The investment is part of the group’s ‘in China for China’ strategy, despite “economically challenging times,” said executive board member Christian Kirsten.

The group currently generates 37% of its overall sales in Asia, with China accounting for half of the consolidated revenue, Kirsten explained.

“By expanding our silicone capacities in Zhangjiagang, we are able to strengthen our specialties business… [and] secure our market position in China,” He added.

The products manufactured in the new facilities include “high-purity functional and non-functional silicone fluids as well as silicone emulsions.”

Selected production lines will comply with GMP (good manufacturing practice) manufacturing, delivering products which can be used in the cosmetics industries.

Another new development at the site the production of silicone elastomer gels, which was up to now only done in Germany and in India.

Elastomer gels are particularly in demand from Chinese manufacturers of cosmetics and personal-care products.

The project is described by Wacker as its “largest single investment in the site’s 15-year history.”

Silicone fluids are frequently used in the consumer goods, textile and construction sectors, while silicone emulsions and silicone elastomer gels are typically used in textiles, cosmetics and personal-care applications.

Functional silicone fluids are important starting materials for industrial applications such as release coatings or impregnating agents.

Other applications for silicone fluids include their use as additives for construction, paper, paints and coatings.

Zhangjiagang is one of Wacker’s largest fully integrated production sites, which supplies downstream silicones products as sealants, elastomers and fluids to the Asian market.