The Munich-based chemical group WACKER opened a new production site for silicones in Panagarh, India. The plant, which is situated 160 km northwest of Kolkata, will manufacture silicone rubber and ready-to-use silicone compounds for electromobility, medical technology, and electrical transmission & distribution. A subsequent expansion stage is planned in the medium term for the production of silicone fluids and silicone emulsions. The site is part of WACKER’s new growth strategy, which the Group presented to investors and analysts at the end of March while at the same time announcing substantial investment in its chemical divisions. To serve the increasing demand for silicones in India and to consolidate its position as a leading silicone producer, the company will invest a mid-double-digit million euro amount in Panagarh in the next few years. The first expansion phase will create around 100 new jobs at the site.
WACKER and its Indian Joint Venture Wacker Metroark Chemicals (WMC) have already been operating a production site for silicones near Kolkata since 1999. The new plant, located around 160 kilo-meters northwest of Kolkata with an area of 165,000 square meters, is three times the size of the existing site in Amtala, where silicone fluids and silicone emulsions will continue to be produced for the cosmetics and personal care industries.
WACKER intends to expand production at the new site in several stages. Currently, high-consistency- and room-temperature-vulcanizing solid silicone rubbers, liquid silicone rubber, and SILMIX® ready-to-use silicone compounds are manufactured in Panagarh. These products are used particularly in electromobility, medical technology, and electric transmission and distribution. In the next stage, it is planned to produce silicone fluids and silicone emulsions for cosmetics, textile, and personal care applications.