Wacker, Dow Corning JV starts production

ERJ staff report (R&PN)

Zhangjiagang, China -- Wacker Chemie AG and Dow Corning Corp. have started production at their joint venture pyrogenic silica and siloxane plants in Zhangjiagang.

The companies invested an estimated total of about Euro 950 million in the 1 million-m². site.

The combined capacity for siloxane and pyrogenic silica is planned to be about 200 000 metric tons per year. The companies expect the plants to be at full operational capacity by the end of 2010.

Wacker and Dow Corning plan to use the site to serve their growing markets in key silicone products areas, such as construction, automotive, electronics, personal care, health care, power and utility, solar, textile, and paper.

Both companies also are manufacturing finished silicone products at the site.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)

Press release from Wacker