Wacker expands speciality silicones in China

Wacker Chemie has held a kick-off event at its site at Zhangjiagang in China’s Jiangsu province to mark the start of construction of several new production lines for functional silicone fluids, silicone emulsions and silicone elastomer gels. It will invest about €150 million on the expansion project. The lines are due onstream in 2H 2025

This is the company’s largest single investment in Zhangjiagang since the site was commissioned in 2010. It comes in response to growing demand for these products in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region, according to Christian Kirsten, the executive board member responsible for the global silicone business.

Silicone emulsions and elastomer gels are typically used in textile, cosmetic and personal care applications, such as skin creams, shampoos and fabric softeners. Functional silicone fluids are mainly used as starting materials for industrial applications and as additives for construction, paper, paints and coatings.