Wacker Chemie AG has officially inaugurated two new production facilities for specialty silicones in Asia. The plants, located in Tsukuba, Japan, and Jincheon, South Korea, aim to meet the rising demand in the automotive and construction industries.
With an investment in the double-digit million Euro range, the expansion bolsters WACKER’s presence in the rapidly growing Asian market.
“At these state-of-the-art facilities, we are reinforcing our position as a leader in high-quality silicone solutions,” said Christian Kirsten, WACKER Executive Board member responsible for silicones.
Kirsten added, “These additional capacities will help us support increasing demand from key industries, especially automotive and construction, while driving our specialty strategy in silicones.”
Asia: A Key Market for WACKER
Asia already contributes over forty percent of WACKER’s global sales, with Japan and South Korea playing significant roles.
Angela Wörl, WACKER Executive Board member for the Asia region said, “These new production lines enhance our ability to meet local needs efficiently and strengthen our customer-centric approach”.
Tsukuba Facility
The Tsukuba plant in Japan is designed to cater primarily to the automotive sector, focusing particularly on electromobility.
It features a new production line for silicone-based thermal interface materials (TIM), which are advanced silicone elastomers modified with fillers and additives to enhance thermal conductivity.
These TIM products are critical for managing heat in electric vehicles and electronic components.
For instance, manufacturers often embed electric car batteries in silicone encapsulants to ensure heat dissipation and protect against overheating.
“As the automotive industry innovates to improve battery-powered vehicle performance, silicones offer cutting-edge solutions,” explained Kirsten.
He added, “From hybrid cable systems to effective thermal management, our facility in Japan is equipped to address growing regional demand for high-performance silicones”.
WACKER operates the Tsukuba plant through its Wacker Asahikasei Silicone (AWS) joint venture, which has been operational since 1999. The site also houses a technical center and training center for silicone applications.
Jincheon Facility
In Jincheon, South Korea, WACKER has expanded its capacity for silicone sealants, primarily serving the construction industry.
Since 2010, the site has been producing a variety of silicone products. These include specialty silicones, liquid silicone rubbers, and silicone elastomers. The products serve the automotive and electrical industries.
Growing demand necessitated further upgrades, after production had previously expanded during a site relocation in 2018.
The new production line significantly boosts Jincheon’s capacity, enabling WACKER to meet the long-term needs of the Asian market.
“Our investment in Jincheon strengthens our leadership in high-quality silicone sealants,” said Kirsten.
He added, “This modern facility now ranks among the largest and most efficient silicone sealant production sites in Asia.”
Supporting Industry Growth Across Asia
WACKER’s investments in Tsukuba and Jincheon align with global trends in electromobility and urban development.
As per the press release, the company is enhancing its manufacturing capabilities. This positions it to deliver innovative silicone solutions that meet evolving market needs in Asia.
