WACKER has reached another important milestone in strengthening its silicone manufacturing footprint in India. The company commissioned a production complex for silicone emulsions at its Panagarh site in West Bengal, significantly enhancing its ability to serve the growing cosmetics and personal care industries.
Spread across a 15,000-square-meter area, the operational facility produces GMP-certified silicone emulsions that comply fully with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines of the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI). With this expansion, WACKER will substantially increase its silicone emulsion production capacity in India while creating around 60 new jobs at the site.
Christian Kirsten, Member of WACKER’s Executive Board, highlighted, “Our facilities in Panagarh are truly world-class and will produce top-quality, high-purity products which are in great demand, particularly in the cosmetics and personal care industries”.
Growing Demand from the Personal Care Industry
The personal care sector continues to be one of the key growth drivers for WACKER’s silicone business in India. Through its fully consolidated joint venture Wacker Metroark Chemicals (WMC), the company has established itself as a leading supplier of silicone raw materials used in cosmetics, shampoos, and a wide range of personal care formulations.
WMC serves a broad customer base that includes both domestic manufacturers and global consumer goods companies operating in India. According to Tom Koini, Head of WACKER’s Silicones Division, the market outlook remains highly promising.
“The demand for our silicone products remains strong, and we expect further significant growth in India,” he said. “By expanding our production capabilities in Panagarh, we are well positioned to meet this increasing demand and support the growth of our customers.”
Building on a Strong Manufacturing Legacy in India
WACKER’s silicone manufacturing journey in India began in 1999, when the company started production at its Amtala site near Kolkata. Over the years, the facility has produced a wide range of silicone products, including silicone fluids, emulsions, and silicone rubber compounds.
To support expanding market demand, WACKER later developed its Panagarh site, which spans 165,000 square meters. The site began operations in 2022 and currently manufactures silicone rubber and ready-to-use silicone compounds for high-growth industries such as electromobility, medical technology, and electrical power supply.
Panagarh Emerges as a Key Silicone Production Hub
With the commissioning of this latest expansion phase, the Panagarh facility now serves as WACKER’s second major hub for silicone emulsion production in India. The company plans to further strengthen the site through additional investments, positioning it as a central node in the regional silicones supply chain.
As per the press release, at the same time, the Amtala site will increasingly focus on product innovation and process development, enabling WACKER to accelerate technology advancements while maintaining efficient production capacity across both locations. Sascha Büchel, Managing Director of Wacker Metroark, noted that the expansion represents a crucial step in the company’s long-term growth strategy.
“The successful completion of the expansion work in Panagarh is key to our future success in India,” he said. “Our main site in Amtala has played an outstanding role, but it is increasingly reaching its capacity limits. Panagarh provides us with the space, infrastructure, and flexibility required to continue our success story in India.”
