Wacker certified for direct-to-automotive sales for its silicones

MUNICH—Chemical manufacturer Wacker Chemie A.G. is looking to the future with its specialty silicones, preparing for the production of electric vehicle components by supplying automobile manufacturers, their systems suppliers and OEMs directly.

To achieve this, Wacker has been certified with the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) auto manufacturing standard 16949. The certificate relates to parts produced at the Wacker Burghausen site in Germany and Zhangjiagang facility in China.

The two facilities make two-component silicone rubber formulations that cure at room temperature. Specifically, Semicosil, Elastosil and Wacker SilGel, among others, are in play for Wacker's direct-to-auto sales, as they represent heat-conducting gap fillers, silicone adhesives and potting compounds, all of which are crucial to the new age of EVs.

"The automotive industry is a key industry and will remain so, not only for Germany," Robert Gnann, president of Wacker Silicones, said in a statement. "Demand for high-performance materials, which also include our silicones, is growing steadily. For Wacker, it is just the right time to perform IATF certification.

"With our innovative silicone portfolio, we will boost the automotive industry in achieving its goals of productivity, efficiency and quality."

Silicone is one of the core materials used in EV and EV component production, as potting compounds guard against vibration, moisture and dirt in the "brains" of the vehicle, the onboard control electronics (which also control the interconnectivity between other vehicles and adapted infrastructure).

Thermal management silicones, with their high-temperature threshold, help dissipate heat in the all-important power plant, the battery, and assist in cooling various other electronics during recharging, the company said.

These thermal management silicones maintain consistent properties at temperatures between -50°C and 180°C, and up to 230°C for special grades.

"Our customers require not only high-quality products, but also a reliable partner who is capable of offering individual, tailor-made solutions that fully meet the industry's strict guidelines and processes," said Duke Cho, who leads Wacker Chemicals Korea and the Industrial Solutions business unit of Wacker Silicones. "The certification demonstrates that we are fully capable of meeting these challenges and requirements in production and quality management.

"Our business in the field of electromobility will profit significantly from this."

The IATF certification has been in place since 2016, developed by an ad hoc committee of leading auto manufacturers in Europe and North America. The certification combines the industry's core requirements with quality management standards.

One of the IATF's most important goals, according to Wacker, is to improve "reliability of production and supply chain."

"Certification according to IATF 16949 is the most important condition for direct cooperation between the supplier and automobile manufacturer," Wacker said in a news release.

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