Momentive Performance Materials has inaugurated two new expansions of its facilities at Rayong, Thailand, in response to what the company said is "growing Asian market demand for specialty chemicals."

One of the new facilities, a production unit for liquid silicone rubber (LSR), will supply the Asian automotive, aerospace, energy, healthcare and consumer products industries.

Momentive regards itself among the industry's pioneers in LSR and elastomer technology used in products ranging from high-voltage insulators and fuel system valves to medical masks and mobile phones and portable electronics.

A second expanded facility at Rayong will produce silicone-based release coatings. The coatings are applied to paper or film to produce liners that help protect the adhesive on tapes and labels prior to application. Here, too, Momentive sees itself among the global leaders.