Wacker has announced the inauguration of its new silicone-polymer plant at Zhangjiagang (China). The plant manufactures not only intermediates, but also downstream silicone products, including fluids. Completing Wacker's supply chain in China, the company said the plant is an integral part of Zhang-jiagang's silicone production system and represents an investment of some €30 million.

Wacker has produced silicones in China since 2004 for use in many challenging applications, including in the automotive, construction and electronics sectors. At the company's Nanjing site, production of dispersions and dispersible polymer powders began last November.

Primarily supplied to the construction sector, these products are found, for example, in insulation systems, tile adhesives and ready-mix mortars.

In total, Wacker's Chinese operations comprise four production sites, two technical competence centers and seven sales offices spanning the country's key economic centers. In 2009, Wacker posted sales of over €730 million in China, including Taiwan. The Munich-based chemical company has been present in China with own sales offices since 1995.