WACKER Expands Specialty Silicone Production in China

Wacker Chemie AG has begun construction of new production lines to expand its specialty silicone manufacturing capacity in China. An opening ceremony at the Zhangjiagang facility in Jiangsu province marks the start of construction on new production lines where the global company will produce functional silicone fluids, silicone emulsions and silicone elastomer gels. The expansion project, which has received all necessary approvals from local authorities, has been allocated approximately EUR 150 million. The new facilities are expected to begin operations in the second half of 2025. WACKER China President Alvin Hu said, "This expansion project represents the largest investment we have made in Zhangjiagang since the facility officially began operations in 2010." Hu added that demand from customers in China for innovative specialty silicones continues to grow steadily. "The new production facilities and our expanded research and development activities on site will do more than strengthen our presence in China; they also underscore our commitment to serving our customers in China and the Asia-Pacific region even better going forward." WACKER's silicone emulsions and elastomer gels find widespread applications in the textile, cosmetics and personal care sectors, such as in skin creams, shampoos and fabric softeners. Here they prevent makeup from staining clothing, reduce the adverse effects of water contact on sun protection, and give moisturizers and night creams a pleasant silky softness. Functional silicone fluids, meanwhile, are important starting materials for industrial applications such as impregnating or release agents. Other applications for silicone fluids include their use as additives in construction, paper, paints and coatings. Zhangjiagang is one of WACKER Group's largest fully integrated production facilities. The company supplies a wide range of downstream silicone products from here, including sealants, elastomers, emulsions and fluids, to rapidly growing Asian markets. WACKER's silicones play an important role not only in traditional application areas such as the textile, leather and fiber industries, chemical processes and coatings, but also in innovative industries such as electromobility, renewable energy generation and medical technology. Source