Wacker strengthens portfolio of specialties by expanding production capacities for silicone rubber

Chemical group Wacker is increasing its global production capacities for silicone rubber.

Wacker has expansion measures at several sites, with plans to gradually raise its capacities by a total of 40,000 metric tons per 2021.

The Munich-based company is responding to the high demand for silicone rubber in key sectors such as the automotive, electronics and medical industries.

Robert Gnann, head of the Wacker Silicones business division, said: “Silicones are high-performance materials. They are essential for novel product solutions and belong to the innovation drivers in key industry sectors such as automotive, medical, and electronics.”

“Above average growth is being driven by the trends toward hybrid cars, electromobility and digitalisation, as well as decentralised alternative electricity generation using wind and solar power, so we are making a major contribution to increased sustainability while pursuing our strategy of clearly focusing on boosting specialities in our portfolios.”

For 2019, Wacker is planning further capacity enhancements for liquid silicone rubber, high and room temperature vulcanising silicones and thermally conductive silicone compounds at its production sites in Germany, China, and Michigan.

It is also currently evaluating the option of building a plant for solid silicone rubber at its site in Charleston, Tennessee.