Munich-based Wacker has announced plans to move it sales of in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to new larger premises in the centre of the city to provide additional support for its customers and its business in Sothern India.
The Chennai office, which is operated by Wacker Metroark Chemicals, the firm’s joint venture (JV) with local company Metroark Chemicals, sells chemicals to the pharmaceutical, medical, textiles and paints industry, among others, and has been active since 1998.
Wacker spokeswoman Nadinde Baumgartl told in-Pharmatechnologist.com that: “Complementing our office in Bangalore, the Chennai office is essential for business development and customer support in the region.
“We view India as a high priority geography with the potential for significant growth over the next few years. With our new office, we want to underline our position as a technology leader for high-quality silicone products and chemical raw materials and further provide our customers with the best support possible.”
The expanded office will focus on selling silicones and chemical raw materials to a variety of sectors, according to O’Neil Remedios, VP of sales and marketing at Wacker Metroark Chemicals, who said: “The region around Chennai is renowned for its dynamic and fast growing industries.”
Key Wacker products – from a pharmaceutical industry perspective – include: a pyrogenic silica named HDK, which is used in solid powder formulations and as a disintegration promoter in tablets; and a range of surface coating resins used in the production of blister packaging.
The decision to invest in Asia is understandable given that, for the three months to June 30, the region contributed the largest share, 38 per cent, of Wacker’s €1.33bn ($1.9bn) revenue. Group sales in Asia reached €499m for the period, up 16 per cent on the comparable quarter last year.
This growth contrasts markedly with Wacker’s performance in the Americas, where sales dropped from €213m in Q2 2010 to €212m in the second quarter this year.