Munich-based chemical company Wacker is raising its prices for silicones in Europe as of April 1, 2014. Product groups affected include silicone rubbers, silicone sealants and silicone fluids. The increases vary according to product group and business field and are in the order of 4 to 8 percent, or as customer contracts allow. They are caused by rising material costs and raw material prices. The measure will ensure that the Wacker Silicones business division continues to provide high-quality products and services along with high delivery reliability.Silicones are widely employed in industry. Silicone rubbers are used in areas such as automotive and mechanical engineering, electronics and electrical systems, textiles, household appliances, and sports articles, as well as for sealants in the construction industry. Applications for silicone fluids include hydraulic, transformer, and damping fluids, antifoam agents, fuser oils for photocopiers, along with impregnation agents, polishes and conditioners for glass wool, mineral wool, textiles and leather.
Wacker Silicones is one of the largest silicone manufacturers worldwide with over 3,000 highly specialized and innovative products. The division's portfolio ranges from silicone fluids, emulsions, resins, elastomers and sealants to silanes, silane-terminated polymers and pyrogenic silica. These stand out due to their significant value-adding potential - enhancing both the benefits and performance of customers' end products. Wacker Silicones' products find application in such sectors as construction, chemicals, cosmetics, textiles, automotive, paper, electronics and medical engineering.
