WACKER and Dow Corning Open Expanded Pyrogenic Silica Plant in Zhangjiagang, China
Wacker Chemie AG and Dow Corning Corporation officially inaugurated the completed second phase of their joint pyrogenic silica plant in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, China. The pyrogenic silica plant, together with a siloxane plant, is a key facility of the Dow Corning-WACKER integrated silicone manufacturing site developed by both companies at Jiangsu Yangtze River Chemical Industrial Park in Zhangjiagang to produce materials used extensively in industries including construction, beauty and personal care, power and automotives. Covering an area of one million square meters, the combined US$ 1.8 billion investment is China’s largest facility of this kind and among the world’s largest and most advanced integrated production complexes for silicones.
The combined capacity for siloxane and pyrogenic silica at the site, including the second phase silica plant, is expected to reach approximately 210,000 metric tons per year. Investments from both partners for the new pyrogenic silica production facility amount to a mid double-digit million euro sum.
Pyrogenic silica and siloxane are key ingredients in the manufacture of finished silicone products. Silicone-based materials are used in nearly all sectors of China’s booming economy, including automotive, construction, cosmetics and personal care products, electronics, power generation and distribution, solar energy and textiles.
“Demand for advanced silicone products is growing – in China and globally”, said Dr. Wilhelm Sittenthaler, Board Member of Wacker Chemie AG, during the opening ceremony held at the site. “The new facility will allow us not only to respond quickly to local market needs and to improve customer services in the region. We are further able to provide silicone products that meet international quality standards and thus drive the sustainable development of the silicone industry in China.”
Each company also owns and operates manufacturing plants for finished silicone products at the Zhangjiagang site. Marketing and sales are undertaken independently by each company.
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