WACKER Expands Production Capacity in China with New Facility in Zhangjiagang to Meet Growing Demand for Specialty Silicones

WACKER Expands Production Capacity in China with New Facility in Zhangjiagang to Meet Growing Demand for Specialty Silicones

(IN BRIEF) WACKER has completed a major expansion at its Zhangjiagang site in China, investing a significant amount to increase production of silicone fluids, emulsions, and elastomer gels. This expansion supports the company’s “in China for China” strategy, allowing WACKER to strengthen its position as a leading silicone manufacturer in China. The new facility will also enhance the company’s ability to meet the demands of the rapidly growing cosmetics, personal care, and industrial sectors. The production of silicone elastomer gels will now be conducted in China for the first time, meeting local market needs.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 22-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — WACKER has significantly expanded its production capacity in China with a new complex at its Zhangjiagang site, aimed at meeting the growing demand for high-quality specialty silicones. The expansion includes the production of silicone fluids, silicone emulsions, and silicone elastomer gels, which are essential components for industries such as cosmetics, personal care, textiles, and construction. The new facilities were completed mechanically today, and production will ramp up over the coming months. WACKER has invested a substantial low three-digit million euro amount in this strategic expansion.

The new production complex underscores WACKER’s ongoing commitment to its successful “in China for China” strategy. Christian Kirsten, Executive Board member of WACKER, highlighted the strategic importance of this investment, particularly in the current global economic environment. “Our expansion in Zhangjiagang demonstrates that, even in challenging times, we are fully dedicated to supporting our growth in China. By increasing our silicone production capacities, we strengthen our specialties business and reinforce our position as a leading manufacturer of silicones in China,” Kirsten stated.

The expanded facility will manufacture high-purity functional and non-functional silicone fluids, silicone emulsions, and silicone elastomer gels. These products are increasingly sought after by the cosmetics industry, with selected production lines meeting GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards. Notably, the production of silicone elastomer gels will now take place in Zhangjiagang, a product previously only made in Germany and India. These gels are particularly popular among Chinese manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products.

Alvin Hu, President of WACKER Greater China, emphasized the strategic significance of the expansion: “This project is the largest single investment in the history of our Zhangjiagang site, and it represents a long-term commitment to growth in China. By enhancing our production capabilities, we can better support the development of innovative products and respond more swiftly to market demands,” he said.

Silicone fluids are widely used across various sectors such as consumer goods, textiles, and construction, while silicone emulsions and elastomer gels play a significant role in cosmetics and personal-care applications, including makeup, shampoos, and fabric softeners. Functional silicone fluids are essential for industrial uses, including release coatings and impregnating agents, and are also applied in construction, paints, coatings, and paper industries.

Zhangjiagang is one of WACKER’s largest fully integrated production sites, from which the company supplies rapidly expanding Asian markets with a broad range of silicone products, including sealants, elastomers, and fluids. WACKER’s silicones are integral not only in traditional industries like textiles, leather, and coatings but also in high-tech sectors such as electromobility, renewable energy generation, and medical technology.The company in brief:
WACKER is a global company with state-of-the-art specialty chemical products found in countless everyday items, ranging from tile adhesives to computer chips. The company has a global network of 27 production sites, 21 technical competence centers and 46 sales offices. With around 16,600 employees, WACKER generated annual sales of around €5.7 billion in fiscal 2024.

WACKER operates through four business divisions. The Silicones and Polymers chemical divisions supply products (silicones, polymeric binders) for the automotive, construction, chemical, consumer goods and medical technology industries. Biosolutions, the life sciences division, specializes in bioengineered products such as biopharmaceuticals and food additives. Polysilicon produces hyperpure polysilicon for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries.

www.wacker.com

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Florian Degenhart
Tel. +49 89 6279-1601
Florian.Degenhart@wacker.com

SOURCE: Wacker Chemie AG