Munich — Wacker Chemie AG and Brazilian silicone compounder STC Silicones have completed an agreement on the co-branding of ready-to-use silicone compounds.
Under the agreement's terms, STC may promote silicone compounds made from Wacker raw materials with the quality seal "Based on Elastosil." Wacker said Elastosil is currently one of its most successful brands.
STC Silicones is based in Ribeirao Pires in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Wacker has been supplying STC Silicones with silicone raw materials and additives since 2003. The family-owned business uses them to produce ready-to-process silicone compounds for the automotive, medical, electrical and household product sectors.
"STC Silicones has been operating in the Brazilian market for over a decade and is now one of the country's most successful compounders," Christian Gimber, vice president of the Engineering Silicones Business Unit, said in a statement. "STC can now supply its Brazil-based customers with the high-quality and tailored silicone compounds even more effectively. We will do all we can do to support STC. Consequently, we will be able to further strengthen our competitive position within the region."
The agreement is a major milestone in positioning STC Silicones in the market as a supplier of high-quality compounds, Joaquim Carlos Lopes da Silva, STC Silicone's managing director, said in a statement.
"Elastosil represents absolute quality in Brazil. It is a great benefit that we can use the brand name for our compounds, too," da Silva said . "This will open up a raft of new sales and marketing opportunities. Products made from original Wacker raw materials are identified by the 'Based on Elastosil' label. The Elastosil brand is a global quality seal for silicones. This fosters trust and makes it easier for us to convince customers of our silicone compounds' high quality."
Beside silicone rubber and silicone rubber dispersions, the Elastosil brand also includes Wacker's related processing additives. Elastosil silicones are used in areas such as automotive and mechanical engineering, electronics and electrics, textiles, medical articles, toys, household appliances and sports articles, as well as in the construction industry.
STC Silicones was founded in 2003 and has specialized in the production of ready-to-use silicone rubber compounds. Its customers are active in industries such as the medical, construction, automotive, transport, household appliance, electrical and electronics sectors. Located in Ribeirao Pires in the State of Sao Paulo, the family-run business currently has a workforce of 25 employees and is a member of the Brazilian Rubber Technology Association ABTB (Associacao Brasileira de Tecnologia da Borracha) and CIGRE Brazil.
STC's parent company is Kinner Silicone Rubber Ind. E Com. Ltda., which is also located in Ribeirao Pires.
Wacker founded Wacker Quimica do Brasil Ltda 40 years ago in 1977. The subsidiary, located in Jandira, 35 kilometers from the city of Sao Paulo, supports customers in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Wacker is currently expanding its production facilities for antifoam compounds and functional silicone fluids at the Jandira site. The expansion is the company's response to growing regional demand for specialty silicones needed in the textile, paper, household, personal care and cosmetics industry. Currently, Wacker Quimica do Brazil has 130 employees.