WACKER SILICONES Boosts Presence in CIS Countries

29-Apr-2003

In the field of heat-curing silicone rubber grades, WACKER SILICONES will be working together with PENTA-91, a Russian company specializing in silicone compounding. The two parties recently concluded an agreement to this effect.

The long-term cooperation arrangement calls for PENTA-91 to distribute WACKER's heat-curing silicone elastomers throughout the Confederation of Independent States (CIS - the former USSR). Significantly, the Moscow-based silicone manufacturer's role will not be restricted to the distribution side. As a leading silicones formulator and supplier, PENTA-91 provides domestic markets with rubber compounds geared to market needs and tailors them to specific customer requirements. Founded in 1991, the company has three production plants in Moscow, Balashikha and Scheikovo. With over 200 employees, it manufactures over 370 different product items.

WACKER's aim in entering into this collaboration with the PENTA-91 group, which already began successfully selling WACKER silicone fluids last year, is to improve access to the CIS region's fast-growing markets. In particular, demand for redispersible powders, elastomers and silicone sealants is expected to show double-digit growth in the countries of Eastern Europe. Market trends in Russia, where first-quarter 2003 gross domestic product grew sharply, will play an especially important role.

Established in 1992, WACKER's Moscow-based Russian sales office serves all WACKER customers in the CIS region. To meet growing demands placed on our sales structure and distribution operations, WACKER established a Russian subsidiary in October, 2002.

Additionally, WACKER is building a Technical Center in Moscow. The technical applications laboratory is set to open its doors in September of this year. Aside from consulting and training customers and institutes, the center is also responsible for development and certification of construction products for the Russian market. Such local activities are key contributors to enhancing customer loyalty.

Silicone rubber grades consist primarily of crosslinked, long-chain dimethylpolysiloxanes. Unlike RTV rubber grades, heat-curing silicone rubbers vulcanize only at high temperatures. They withstand extreme temperature fluctuations (-50 °C to +250 °C), are aging resistant, environmentally compatible and physiologically harmless. Due to their outstanding properties, silicone rubbers have numerous applications, for example in the automotive and construction industries, for foods and personal care products, and in electrical, mechanical and plant engineering. Wacker-Chemie GmbH

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