Shin-Etsu to build two silicone plants in U.S, Thailand

TOKYO (Aug. 20)—Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. will spend $107 million in the coming 12-18 months to establish new silicone plants in the U.S. and Thailand, a company spokesman confirmed. In the U.S., the company will invest nearly $50 million to open a 10,000-metric-ton-per-year facility in Texas, through its subsidiary Shin-Etsu Silicones of America Inc., according to the spokesman. The plant, which is scheduled to come on stream by August 2002, will make adhesives for use in coating agents—especially those by the tire industry—as well as in rubber and electric parts, he said. In Thailand, Shin-Etsu will invest $57 million to build a 54,000-ton-per-year factory in Rayong to make silicone oil and silicone rubber products. This facility is due for start-up in March 2003, according to the spokesman. Shin-Etsu claims to be the world's third largest producer of silicone products.