MUNICH—Munich-based chemical group Wacker Chemie A.G. and Brazilian silicone compounder STC Silicones completed an agreement on the co-branding of ready-to-use silicone compounds.
Under the agreement's terms, STC is promoting silicone compounds made from Wacker raw materials with the quality seal "Based on Elastosil."
STC has a large portfolio of compounds based on Elastosil. These grades are mostly special recipes for customers or customized to special applications, but some are more general use, a Wacker spokesman said. Some of those general use grades include: TD3111/60 and TD3112/60, FX3211/60 and FX3212/60 in the transmission and distribution market; and AT11101/50 and AT11102/50 in the automotive market.
STC Silicones is based in Ribeirao Pires in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, and Wacker has been supplying STC Silicones with silicone raw materials and additives since 2003. The family-owned business uses them to produce ready-to-process silicone compounds for the automotive, medical, electrical and household product sectors.
"STC Silicones has been operating in the Brazilian market for over a decade, and is now one of the country's most successful compounders," Christian Gimber, Wacker vice president of the Engineering Silicones Business Unit, said in a statement. "STC can now supply its Brazil-based customers with the high-quality and tailored silicone compounds even more effectively. We will do all we can do to support STC. Consequently, we will be able to further strengthen our competitive position within the region."
The agreement is a major milestone in positioning STC Silicones in the market as a supplier of high-quality compounds, according to Joaquim Carlos Lopes da Silva, STC Silicone's managing director.
"Elastosil represents absolute quality in Brazil. It is a great benefit that we can use the brand name for our compounds, too," said da Silva. "This will open up a raft of new sales and marketing opportunities. Products made from original Wacker raw materials are identified by the 'Based on Elastosil' label. The Elastosil brand is a global quality seal for silicones. This fosters trust and makes it easier for us to convince customers of our silicone compounds' high quality."
There is no new expansion or additional production planned with this agreement, nor will there be any new hires. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Beside silicone rubber and silicone rubber dispersions, the Elastosil brand also includes their related processing additives. Elastosil silicones are used in areas such as automotive and mechanical engineering, electronics and electrics, textiles, medical articles, toys, household appliances and sports articles, as well as in the construction industry.
STC Silicones was founded in 2003 and has a work force of 25 employees. It is a member of the Brazilian Rubber Technology Association ABTB (Associacao Brasileira de Tecnologia da Borracha) and CIGRE Brazil. STC's parent company is Kinner Silicone Rubber Ind. E Com. Ltda., which also is located in Ribeirao Pires.