WACKER has achieved another milestone in the expansion of its silicone capacities in India. A new production complex for manufacturing silicone emulsions has gone into operation at WACKER’s Panagarh site, producing GMP-certified silicones for the cosmetics and personal care industries. The 15,000-square-metre facility fully complies with the good manufacturing practice guidelines of the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI), and the expansion will create 60 new jobs.
WACKER Panagarh Becomes Second Silicone Emulsion Hub in India
Following the commissioning of the second expansion phase, WACKER’s Panagarh site now represents a second mainstay for producing silicone emulsions in India, alongside its established Amtala site near Kolkata. WACKER’s fully consolidated joint venture Wacker Metroark Chemicals (WMC) is a leading supplier of silicone raw materials for cosmetic products, shampoos, and personal care applications. The customer base includes both local manufacturers and international consumer goods companies. The company continues to invest in its silicone capabilities globally, as demonstrated by its recent acquisition of Bio Med Sciences in the US to expand its silicone-coated healthcare product portfolio.
“Our facilities in Panagarh are truly world-class and will produce top-quality, high-purity products which are in great demand, in particular in the cosmetics and personal care industries.”
— Christian Kirsten, Executive Board Member, WACKER
WACKER Targets Continued Growth in India
WACKER began its silicones production in India in 1999. In 2022, the company started operations at the 165,000-square-metre Panagarh site, initially producing silicone rubber and ready-to-use compounds. Through further expansion measures, WACKER aims to make the site assume a leading role in the regional silicones supply chain, while Amtala will increasingly focus on product and process development.
WACKER is a global specialty chemicals company with around 16,600 employees and annual sales of approximately €5.7 billion in fiscal 2024. For more information, visit WACKER.
