WACKER Unveils $200 Million Silicones Expansion Plan in U.S.

Latest: German chemical manufacturer Wacker Chemie announced on July 26 that it has begun a feasibility study for a new silicone production facility at its Charleston, Tennessee, US site.

The move is part of a multi-phase construction plan for the US site over several years with an investment of more than $200 million (€197 million).

WACKER, the world’s second-largest producer of silicones, added that the first is the production of high-concentration silicone rubber and silicone sealants, as well as the production of intermediates.

“Once this facility is completed, plants for other products, such as silane-terminated polymers for adhesives and sealants, as well as waterproofing materials, can be added,” said Munich-based WACKER.

WACKER has been producing high-purity polysilicon for the semiconductor and solar industries in Charleston since 2015, and fumed silica there since 2019.

WACKER CEO Christian Hartel pointed to particularly strong growth in demand for high-performance specialty silicones in industries such as the automotive, construction, electronics and medical technology industries.

“The planned expansion in Charleston is another step in making Charleston a fully integrated site with a closed production loop and an important prerequisite for our accelerated growth as planned,” Hartel said.

The German chemical group is targeting sales of more than 10 billion euros by 2030, with an EBITDA margin of more than 20 percent.

In comparison, the Group’s turnover in 2021 was 6.2 billion euros, with an EBITDA margin of 24 percent. WACKER SILICONES’ sales of 2.6 billion euros contributed 555 million euros to EBITDA.