The Munich-based chemical Group WACKER has recently finished expansion of its Shanghai Technical Center located at Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park.

Munich/Shanghai, May 12, 2009 – The Munich-based chemical Group WACKER has recently finished expansion of its Shanghai Technical Center located at Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. The facility now houses over ten labs for WACKER’s silicone and polymer activities, serving a wide range of industries from construction, coatings and adhesives to electronics, textile, cosmetics and home care. The €1 million investment is intended to boost the company’s local research & development competency and ensure optimum customer support on the Chinese market.

The expansion of the technical center has doubled the total floor space to 3,400 m2. All labs have been enlarged and modernized. Moreover, several new labs have been set up to meet growing market needs, for example of the VAE dispersions, construction, personal & household care, pulp and paper industries. Not only have the center’s testing, training and application development capacities been enhanced, but its local product customization and development capability has also been given a significant boost. As the sales office and technical center are now under one roof, the sales and development teams can collaborate more closely to deliver optimum customer support.

The center’s expansion is another milestone in WACKER’s long-term development strategy in Asia and especially China. “Even though the economy is going through challenging times right now, WACKER’s commitment to the Chinese market remains unchanged”, says Dr. Peter von Zumbusch, President of WACKER Chemicals Greater China. “We will continue to develop the existing local facilities and business here by making more investments in the coming years.”

For more information visitwww.wacker.com.