German firm Wacker expands technical centre in Kolkata

In a move that would strengthen its presence in India, the Germany-based chemical group Wacker has opened its expanded technical centre for silicone products in Amtala near Kolkata on January 15, 2014.
 
Operated by the joint venture Wacker Metroark Chemicals Pvt Ltd (WMC), the enlarged regional competence centre now comprises state-of-the-art applications technology and test equipment for silicone products needed in the textiles, personal care and construction industry. Wacker is thus responding to the growing demand for silicone products and the emerging needs of regional customers for technical support and expertise. The investment amounts to around half a million Euro.
 
Continued growth in the Asian region prompted enlarging the technical centre in the north-east of India. The extended centre, now spanning about 1,800 square meters and furnished with state-of-the-art equipment, supports silicone customers in the personal care, textile, automotive and construction sector in the development of new products and applications for the region’s markets. This will help Wacker enhance its position as a market and technology leader for high-quality silicone products.
 
“By advancing our lab capabilities, we will leverage our local competence to fulfill our customers’ needs in the growing regions of India and South East Asia even better. Our top-notch equipped technical centre for silicone applications sets new standards in service, advice and transfer of expertise, offering our customers and business partners considerable added value,” stressed Dr Christian Hartel, President, Wacker Silicones.
 
Levi Cottington, Executive Director of Wacker Metroark Chemicals, emphasised, “The investment in our facility shows Wacker’s commitment to the Indian market. It clearly indicates that our company continuously expands its technical expertise in Asia.”
 
Soumitra Mukherjee, Managing Director of Wacker Metroark Chemicals, added, “Wacker and Metroark have been working together with great success for over a decade. With our range of high quality silicone products, we are already market leaders in many industries in India today. And with the new labs, we are able to offer our customers even more effective local support.”