WACKER and SICO Performance Material opened a new application development center for organofunctional silanes in Jining, China, expanding support for high-performance additives used in plastics, coatings and adhesives. The 2,300-square-meter facility includes laboratories for product development and serves as an interface between research, technical support and production.

According to the companies, the new technology center allows development teams to work closely with SICO’s production and scale-up resources, enabling faster market introduction of new products. The investment supports WACKER’s specialties strategy in China, where demand for advanced silane technologies continues to grow.

“As a provider of innovative silicone specialties and solutions, we can use this development center to achieve a key milestone for our business in China,” said Tom Koini, president of WACKER’s silicones business division. “Our focus is on high-margin specialty silanes, for which demand in China is rising continuously. This investment together with our partner SICO strengthens our presence and commitment to the region.”

WACKER holds a majority stake in SICO, a producer of specialty silanes used as adhesion promoters, binders and additives that enhance mechanical and chemical properties in high-performance materials. The companies said the new center will support customers across applications involving adhesives, sealants, coatings and plastics, including sectors such as electromobility, electronics, power engineering and telecommunications.

At the opening ceremony, Kevin Qu, general manager of SICO Performance Material, called the development an investment in the future and the foundation for expanded joint innovation.

Explore more industry developments in PCI’s coverage of Additives.