WACKER expands specialty-silicone capacity at Zhangjiagang site
- WACKER has earmarked approximately €150 million to add several specialty-silicone production lines at its Zhangjiagang site.
- The new lines will produce functional silicone fluids, silicone emulsions and silicone elastomer gels.
- All local permits are secured and the facilities are scheduled to come on stream in the second half of 2025.
- The expansion is the largest single investment at Zhangjiagang since the site’s 2010 commissioning and targets rising China/Asia–Pacific demand.
Project scope
Wacker Chemie AG is expanding specialty silicone manufacturing at its Zhangjiagang site in Jiangsu. Construction has started for several new production lines to produce functional silicone fluids, silicone emulsions and silicone elastomer gels. The group has earmarked some €150 million for the expansion.
Timeline and approvals
The project has received all necessary permits from local authorities and a kick-off event at the Zhangjiagang site marked the start of construction. The new facilities are scheduled to come on stream in the second half of 2025.
Strategic rationale
Company executives cited steadily growing demand in China, particularly for innovative specialty silicones, and described the investment as the site’s largest single investment since its 2010 commissioning. Expanding capacity in Zhangjiagang is presented as a logical step to increase specialty silicones within the Group’s product portfolio and to strengthen service for customers in China and the Asia–Pacific region.
Applications and site role
Silicone emulsions and elastomer gels are targeted at textile, cosmetic and personal-care applications such as skin creams, shampoos and fabric softeners, while functional silicone fluids serve industrial uses including impregnation, release agents and additives for construction, paper, paints and coatings. Zhangjiagang is one of WACKER’s largest fully integrated production sites and supplies downstream silicone products to rapidly growing Asian markets, including sectors such as electromobility, renewable power generation and medical technology.
Source: wacker.com
