Wacker expands specialty silicone manufacturing in China
Wacker Chemie AG is expanding its specialty silicone manufacturing capacities in Zhangjiagang, China, with construction of several new production lines for manufacturing functional silicone fluids, silicone emulsions and silicone elastomer gels.
Zhangjiagang is one of WACKER Group’s largest fully integrated production sites. It supplies rapidly growing Asian markets with a wide range of downstream silicone products such as sealants, elastomers, emulsions and fluids.
WACKER’s Zhangjiagang site in Jiangsu Province, China.
Silicone emulsions and elastomer gels from WACKER are typically used in textile, cosmetic and personal-care applications, including skin creams, shampoos and fabric softeners. They are able to keep makeup from staining clothes, reduce negative impact that contact with water has on sunscreen protection and allow moisturizers and night creams to remain pleasantly silky soft.
Functional silicone fluids, on the other hand, are important starting materials for industrial applications such as impregnating or release agents. Other applications include using them as additives for construction, paper, paints and coatings.
Investments of EUR 150 million have been earmarked for the expansion project. The new facilities are scheduled to be on stream in the second half of 2025.
