Wacker Chemie's sales, profits jumped in 2006

Munich, Germany - Wacker Chemie AG's net income more than doubled during 2006 to $415 million as sales grew 21.1 percent to $4500 million.

The company reported sales for its Wacker Silicones unit climbed 15 percent to $1700 million with operating earnings up 10 percent to $309.9 million.

During the year, the silicones units opened a monomer plant in Nunchritz, Germany, mainly to make siloxane. Wacker and Dow Corning also started up production in China for silicone elastomers and sealants, and received approval to construct a pyrogenic silica plant.

Peter-Alexander Wacker, president and CEO of Wacker Chemie, expects strong growth for silicones in China and other emerging markets as those economies continue to grow and the standard of living climbs.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)