Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Best Places to Work
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • War in Ukraine
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • Airless Tires
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
    • Rubber In Automotive Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
November 13, 2017 01:00 AM

Wacker further expands production in China

Rubber & Plastics News Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    MUNICH—Wacker Chemie A.G. will expand its production capabilities for silicone and polymer products in China, and reinforce its research and development capability to strengthen its market position in the region.

    Wacker is expanding its solid silicone rubber manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang, as well as its production capacity for vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer dispersions at its plant in Nanjing, according to a recent press release. Wacker's technical center in Shanghai also will be expanded with the addition of new R&D labs for silicone fluids and resins, pyrogenic silica and room-temperature-curing silicone elastomers.

    food application lab for products from the Wacker Biosolutions division also is scheduled. An investment of about $23.2 million has been earmarked for these expansion projects. Most of the funds will be used for technical measures to eliminate production bottlenecks and expand capacity, the company said.

    One investment focus is on the Zhangjiagang site, where Wacker manufactures pyrogenic silica and several silicone products, including solid silicone rubber. By building a new production line, the company will add several thousand metric tons of solid silicone rubber capacity in the future, it said. At the Nanjing polymer site, process engineering improvements for the manufacture of VAE dispersions will boost the annual production capacity by up to about 33,100 tons. The processes are expected to be completed in the second half of 2018, the company said.

    Greater China is one of the company's most important business regions. It remains Wacker's largest single market, and it represents one fourth of group sales, said Wacker CEO Rudolf Staudigl. Demand for silicones and polymer products in China has been growing steadily, but due to high plant capacity utilization, additional volumes are almost impossible.

    "This will help us support our customers' growth and strengthen our market position in the region long-term," said Staudigl.

    Wacker also will expand the company's R&D facilities in Shanghai, which already is home to a technical center. By the end of 2018, Shanghai will have additional silicone labs for the development of new products and applications in areas such as coatings, construction and consumer care, the company said.

    The expansion project also includes the R&D lab for room-temperature curing silicon elastomers, which develops adhesives and sealants for construction and industrial applications. A new application lab catering to the growing needs of the local food industry also will be built, the company said.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Wacky World of Rubber: The true story behind the rubber match
    2
    Sumitomo Chemical ending SSBR, EPDM production
    3
    Sustainability, circularity require full tire industry buy-in
    4
    Arlanxeo plans Saudi Arabian SR production plant
    5
    VMI outlines tire technology upgrades for efficient, sustainable manufacturing
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Best Places to Work
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • War in Ukraine
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • Airless Tires
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
        • Rubber In Automotive Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION