Extrusion International 3-2022

35 Extrusion International 3/2022  Wacker Chemie opened a region- al innovation centre in the USA at the beginning of May 2022. The re- search building, where high-margin biotech and silicone specialties will be developed for high-tech applica- tions in key industries in the future, will also serve as the headquarters of the Wacker Chemical Corporation subsidiary, which is responsible for the Munich-based chemical group's business activities in North and Cen- tral America. The research campus is part of the Group's growth offen- sive announced at the end of March. WACKER aims to signifcantly expand its market position in the US and other target regions by investing in research and development, adding production capacity and accelerating growth. The new campus is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. On the 70,000 m 2 site, biotech and silicone experts who previously worked at different loca- tions will be able to develop prod- ucts for the North American market under one roof. The building houses 20 development and analytical labo- ratories. The laboratory equipment for the development of new products and applications is state-of-the-art. "After China, the US is the largest sales market for chemical and silicone products," said Robert Gnann, head of WACKER SILICONES, at the off - cial opening. "Our new innovation centre is an essential prerequisite for serving customers in North America with tailor-made silicone special- ties used in a wide range of applica- tion felds," Gnann added. "This will make WACKER the preferred contact for customers seeking sustainable and forward-looking solutions for tomorrow's products and technolo- gies." With the decision to bundle and expand its regional research and development expertise in Ann Arbor, the company is fully committed to growth. "Over the next few years, we will consistently expand our market position as a manufacturer of silicone specialties in this important region," the division head emphasised. WACKER is one of the few silicone manufacturers to produce not only silicone but also highly dispersed fumed silica in-house. Highly dis- persible silica is an important fller in the production of high-tempera- ture-curing silicone rubbers for the automotive, electrical, healthcare and household industries. WACKER produces highly dispersed silica from polysilicon production by-products at its Charleston Verbund site in the US state of Tennessee, among other things. The Group also plans to invest in silicone production there in the coming years. The research and development work at the new innovation centre focuses on special products for innovative and, above all, sustainable technolo- gies and applications. The spectrum of topics ranges from biotechnology to silicone chemistry. Wacker Chemie AG www.wacker.com Regional Innovation Center Opened in the USA TheWACKERGroup's new innovation centre inAnnArbor, USA. Siliconeproducts for customers inNorthandCentral Americaaredevelopedand testedhere (Photos:WACKER) Viewof oneof the siliconedevelopment labs inAnnArbor, USA. TheWACKERGroup's innovation centredevelops high-techproducts formedical technology andother key industries