Wacker invests in Russian silicones test facility

Munich, Germany – Wacker has expanded its technical centre in Moscow, Russia to serve as a test lab for silicone elastomers and compounds for the energy, electrical and automotive industries in Russia and eastern Europe.

The new lab will formulate and test high- and room-temperature-curing silicone rubber and ready-to-use silicone compounds, the Munich-based chemicals group said 21 May.

The lab is located next to the technical centre, which has supported customers of polymeric binders for construction and dry-mortar applications since 2003.

“The silicones lab makes it possible for us to adapt our products to customer needs and local industry requirements,” said Dr. Christian Hartel during the official opening ceremony.

“Providing quicker and more flexible support to key industries such as the cable, energy, and automotive industries will strengthen our position as one of the leading silicones manufacturers in the region and provide a basis for future growth.“

In its statement, Wacker said it anticipated rising silicones demand, helped for example by the modernisation of the country's power transmission and distribution industry in Russia.

“In the course of time, ceramic and glass insulators get polluted and don’t insulate properly when wet. If that happens, flashovers and power outages are quite common“, explained Auguste Willems of Wacker’s executive board member.

“Silicone is not only a good insulator. It also has water-repellent properties. Even in rain, silicone coatings insulate reliably ... [and] can make a substantial contribution to minimizing power losses and improving the availability of the power grid.”

Silicone rubber is also finding increasing use in Russia’s car industry, because of its unique set of properties and because it meets the industry’s ever more complex requirements, said Wacker.

“We are confident that we will be able to grow our business in Russia significantly over the next few years,“ Willems concluded. 

(Image source: Wacker AG)