It is increasingly common for modern materials to be coated – irrespective of whether they are for waterproof but breathable hiking jackets, high-tech sports underwear, professional work and protective clothing, airbags or hard-wearing leather car seats. Silicones are usually indispensable for these coatings. Among other benefits, they provide UV stability, confer water-repellency on clothing, and protect against environmental influences.

They simultaneously impart other qualities, too, such as smoothness, gloss, a soft hand, fullness and elasticity. In addition to the special textile properties, silicones offer many production-process benefits. For example, they make textiles easier to sew, accelerate workflows, make production safer as well as more efficient, and, thanks to their effective foam-control properties, make for a smooth all-round production process.

The share of high-quality textile products is growing particularly in Asia, which has enormous textile-and fiber-production capacities. WACKER DYMATIC, a joint venture between WACKER and DYMATIC Chemicals Inc. in Shunde, China, seeks to reinforce its leading position in these fast-growing markets.

To this end, the company opened a new silicone-emulsions plant in China in April. This is WACKER’s third Asian production plant for emulsions. The other two are in Japan and India.

WACKER Dymatic is also investing in another new emulsion plant, this time in Shunde. “The two new facilities will let us respond faster to Chinese market needs, optimize local customer service and provide silicone products that meet international quality standards,” emphasizes Tony Huang, DYMATIC Chemicals Inc. chairman. .

The Zhangjiagang site is a mainstay of the WACKER Group’s presence in Asia, supplying the fast-growing Asian chemical market with WACKER SILICONES and WACKER POLYMERS products.