WACKER expands China plant

WACKER inaugurated a new production line for silicone elastomers at its Zhangjiagang site in China. With an annual capacity of several thousand metric tons, the facility will help support WACKER’s future growth path in China and improve the availability of high consistency silicone rubber (HCR) in the Asia-Pacific region. The plant’s cutting-edge equipment includes world-class kneaders which are essential for manufacturing high quality HCR grades. The expansion measure – a lower double digit million investment – underscores WACKER’s commitment and technological leadership in the silicone rubber industry.

 

During the inauguration ceremony, Paul Lindblad, President of WACKER Greater China, said that the expansion of WACKER’s silicone elastomer plant is yet another example of the company’s ongoing investments into its Chinese facilities. He added that the new manufacturing line will contribute significantly to the company's silicone rubber production capacity, and will enable WACKER to improve its service to customers and business partners.  

 

 

Christian Gimber, Vice President of Engineering Silicones, stressed the growing need for silicone specialties and high quality silicone rubber. High consistency rubbers are widely used, and WACKER expects them to continue on their growth path, he explained. Over the last decades, the demand for solid silicone elastomers has grown quickly, especially in China that today, China is the single largest market for silicone elastomers in the world.

 

WACKER’s new production line is located in a new building complex covering 2,000 square meters. The facility’s kneaders are currently the largest of their kind in the industry. The plant’s mixing and screening equipment and the state-of-the-art waste treatment process are also setting industry standards in terms of productivity and sustainability. The new production line will enable shorter lead times, speed up market response, and improve overall customer experience.