WACKER Strengthens its Presence in India by Opening Expanded Technical Center for Silicone Products

MUNICH / KOLKATA -- The Munich-based chemical group WACKER is strengthening its presence in India by opening its expanded technical center for silicone products in Amtala near Kolkata. Operated by the joint venture Wacker Metroark Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (WMC) the enlarged regional competence center now comprises state-of-the-art applications technology and test equipment for siliconeproducts needed in the textiles, personal care and construction industry. The chemical Group is thus responding to the growing demand for silicone products and the emerging needs of regional customers for technical support and expertise. The investment amounts to around half a million Euro.

Wacker Metroark Chemicals enlarged technical center in Kolkata: Now spanning about 1,800 square meters, the so-called Swaraj Center comprises state-of-the-art applications technology and test equipment for silicone products needed in the textiles, personal care and construction industry.

Continued growth in the Asian region prompted enlarging the technical center in the north-east of India. The extended center, now spanning about 1,800 square meters and furnished with state-of-the-art equipment, supports silicone customers in the personal care, textile, automotive and construction sector in the development of new products and applications for the regions markets. This will help WACKER enhance its position as a market and technology leader for high-quality silicone products.

"By advancing our lab capabilities, we will leverage our local competence to fulfill our customers needs in the growing regions of India and South East Asia even better", stressed Dr. Christian Hartel, president of WACKER SILICONES, during the opening ceremony. "Our top-notch equipped technical center for silicone applications sets new standards in service, advice and transfer of expertise, offering our customers and business partners considerable added value." Levi Cottington, Executive Director of WMC, emphasized: "The investment in our facility shows WACKERs commitment to the Indian market. It clearly indicates that our company continuously expands its technical expertise in Asia."

Soumitra Mukherjee, Managing Director of WMC, further praised the investment as an important milestone for the joint venture. "WACKER and Metroark have been working together with great success for over a decade. With our range of high quality silicone products, we are already market leaders in many industries in India today. And with the new labs, we are able to offer our customers even more effective local support."