In view of the high demand, Japanese polymer producer Kaneka (Osaka; www.kaneka.co.jp) wants to expand its capacity for silicone products: the equivalent of EUR 35 mn is to be invested in the expansion of the largest European plant for modified silicone polymers in Westerlo, Belgium – the same was announced by Minoru Tanaka, president of Kaneka. Production capacity will increase by 10,000 t/y to 43,000 t/y.

Application markets for silicone polymers are the construction sector, E&E, and consumer electronics. The Japanese company is at home in numerous sectors; its products range from PVC to polyolefin foams, PMMA and silicone materials to high-performance plastics (see Plasteurope.com of 21.12.2021).