WACKER Entrusts Silicone Compounding to its Turkish Sales Partner SOLPRO

Munich,---

WACKER, the Munich-based chemicals Group, is expanding its cooperation with the Turkish silicone compounder and distributor SOLPRO Ltd.. The two companies signed an agreement to that effect in mid-September. Accordingly, SOLPRO, besides handling sales of high (HTV) and room (RTV) temperature vulcanizing silicones, will take over the compounding of custom silicones for the Turkish market with immediate effect. The ready-to-use compounds are sold under SOLPRO’s own brand and will be labeled “Based on ELASTOSIL®”. The compounds are targeted at customers in the automotive, construction, electronics, cables and household appliance industries.

“Turkey has been an important growth market for WACKER for many years. We are ideally positioned here in solid and RTV silicone resins,” said Dr. Bernd Pachaly, head of the Engineering Silicones business unit, at the contract signing in Istanbul. He pointed out that the company now wants to systematically improve sales of silicone compounds in the region. “However, production of compounds is difficult and requires a good deal of experience,” Pachaly continued. “Our customers expect short lead times, high flexibility and a consistently high quality. In SOLPRO, we have an experienced partner who thoroughly understands the market and has the expertise and equipment to produce high-quality silicone compounds. This arrangement will allow us to serve our customers in Turkey even better than before.”

SOLPRO’s proprietor, Dr. Metin Savaskan, acknowledged the agreement as an important milestone in his cooperation with the Munich-based chemicals Group. “We are already responsible for selling WACKER silicones elastomers in Turkey. Now, we will also be able to produce ready-to-use custom products from WACKER’s silicone-rubber base materials. That opens up entirely new markets and ways of meeting our customers’ needs.”

To produce compounds, the crosslinker, pigment and other additives are mixed into the rubber base. Typical applications range from automotive gaskets and cable insulation to rubberized rollers for photocopiers. Savaskan valued the sign of confidence shown by the fact that SOLPRO will be able to use the “Based on ELASTOSIL®” label for selling the compounds it produces. “The ELASTOSIL® brand is known for top quality and highest customer satisfaction the world over. These are our values, too, of course”, Savaskan said.

WACKER SILICONES
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 and pyrogenic silicas. These products stand out due to their significant value-adding potential – enhancing both the benefits and performance of customers’ end products. Products from WACKER SILICONES find application in such sectors as construction, chemicals, cosmetics, textiles, automotive, paper and electronics. In 2010, the division generated 33% of Group sales.

SOLPRO
SOLPRO Danismanlik Kimya Sanayi ve Tic, headquartered in Istanbul, is among Turkey’s leading suppliers of silicone raw materials, high-performance elastomers and complementary products. The company serves a large number of sectors – such as the household appliance, automotive, electric, electronic, mold making, construction and cable industries – and delivers innovative solutions and products with additional value-adding potential under their registered trademark INOSER®. As a distributor and compounder, SOLPRO’s chief strength lies in improving its customers’ supply chain, from logistics to product development and process engineering.