Wacker breaks ground on new Silicones plant in Czech Republic

Munich, Germany – Wacker Chemie AG has broken ground on a previously announced silicone products manufacturing plant in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, it was announced 20 June.

Wacker will be investing a ‘low triple-digit million-euro’ amount in the new site with the aim to strengthen its focus on silicone specialties in Europe, the group said in a statement.

The facility will produce room-temperature curing high-performance silicones by the end of 2025, while high consistency silicone rubber will be added by 2028.

According to Wacker, these silicones are used in key technologies such as electromobility, health and medical care and in grid expansion.

Once fully operational, the site will be able to supply over 20 kilotonnes of "custom-made silicones" per year, with first production scheduled for end of 2025, Wacker said.

The plant is intended to complement Wacker’s existing integrated production sites in Germany – namely Burghausen and Nunchritz –, as well as its other Czech facility in Pilsen, which is specialised in electromobility.

Raw materials required for production - polymers, fillers and additives - are to be delivered from Burghausen and mixed in Karlovy Vary to manufacture ready-to-use silicones.

The first phase of the project will create 200 new job opportunities, Wacker added.

“Karlovy Vary will be a new and important pillar for our silicone activities in Europe and will strengthen our position as a leading manufacturer of silicone specialties,” said executive board member Christian Kirsten.

According to the official, Wacker silicone rubber grades “are in demand in all key growth markets.”

In particular, customised silicone elastomers are needed where conventional materials cannot or can no longer meet ever-increasing requirements.

The “integrated production setup in Europe” will make Wacker more flexible, enabling it to “serve our customers both in Europe and elsewhere even better,” said Kirsten.