The facility is custom designed for producing highly specialized organo-functional silicones (OFS) and production is expected to start by the end of this year. It is also located near Elkem Silicones’ existing activities south of Lyon, including both an upstream plant in Roussillon as well as the production site and R&D center in Saint-Fons.

“With this acquisition, Elkem continues to deliver on our growth and specialization strategy,” said Elkem CEO Michael Koenig. “This new plant will enable us to more quickly extend our offerings within advanced high value products for attractive specialty markets, further strengthening our position as one of the world’s leaders in fully integrated silicone manufacturing.”

Frederic Jacquin, senior vice president of Elkem Silicones, added that the new OFS plant provides the technology and capacity to further accelerate growth, particularly within release coatings, personal care and other specialty markets.

OSFs combine the superior performance of silicones with the functionality, compatibility and potential reactivity of organic materials. Their advanced processing gives OFS products highly specialized properties, Elkem noted.

Last year, Elkem boosted its specialty silicone portfolio with the acquisitions of Polysil, a leading Chinese manufacturer of silicone elastomers and resins, and Basel Chemie, a South Korean producer of specialty silicone gels for cosmetics and water repellents used in the construction industry.

Author: Ellaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist