WACKER Starts up New Silicone Polymers and Fluids Plant in China    

On October 20th WACKER officially inaugurated its new silicone-polymer plant at Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province. The plant manufactures not only intermediates, but also downstream silicone products, including fluids. Completing WACKER's supply chain in China, the plant is an integral part of Zhangjiagang's silicone production system and represents an investment of some Euro 30 million.
   "Our new silicone-polymer facility at Zhangjiagang is another milestone toward optimally satisfying soaring customer demand on China's growth markets," explained Carlos Weise, president of the WACKER SILICONES division. "Our Chinese business is generating double-digit growth, clearly outperforming the world market," he emphasized.
   WACKER has produced silicones in China since 2004 for use in many challenging applications, including in the automotive, construction and electronics sectors. In July this year, WACKER started up its vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE) copolymer plant in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. (CCR2010 No.14) In total, WACKER's Chinese operations comprise four production sites, two technical competence centers and seven sales offices spanning the country's key economic centers. In 2009, WACKER posted sales of over Euro 730 million in China, including Taiwan province.