Regions

WACKER’s operations are highly international. 81 percent of 2010’s €4.75 billion in sales was generated by business abroad (2009: €3.72 billion). Germany accounted for 19 percent.

Growth Potential Strongest in Asia

Regionally, Asia offers us the greatest potential for business and growth. Its emerging economies – with their improved living standards – are spurring demand for the high-quality products that WACKER supplies. Accounting for 36 percent of Group sales, Asia remains our principal market. Sales there reached €1.72 billion – up 37 percent. Demand was high among the region’s chipmakers, which especially benefited our silicon-wafer business. As in 2009, momentum was strongest in Greater China (including Taiwan), where sales soared 36 percent to €999.4 million, nearly reaching the billion-euro threshold for the first time (2009: €732.9 million). Our solar-grade polysilicon business was very robust in China, which is home to numerous solar-cell and module manufacturers. As for our silicone and polymer activities, capacity expansions enabled us to respond even faster and more effectively to our Chinese customers’ needs, thus strengthening and enhancing our market position. India (Asia’s second-biggest market) was another region where we achieved double-digit growth.

Buoyant Sales in Europe

In 2010, we posted substantial sales growth in Europe, where WACKER has a very strong market presence. As a supplier of products to virtually every European industry, WACKER benefited extensively from the economic rebound. Sales in other European countries rose 24 percent to €1.18 billion (2009: €944.1 million). At 25 percent, Europe’s share of Group sales remained constant (2009: 25 percent). In Germany, growth was not quite as strong. Domestic sales climbed by 15 percent to €887.3 million (2009: €774.6 million), with WACKER SILICONES, in particular, generating above-average growth.

Robust Customer Demand Lifts Sales in the Americas

After declining sharply during 2009’s crisis, sales in the Americas almost completely recovered in 2010. Growth was chiefly fueled by robust customer demand and the euro’s favorable exchange rate against the US dollar. At €818.2 million, sales were up 29 percent on 2009 (€636.3 million). Momentum came from silicon wafers (for the semiconductor sector), silicones, dispersions and solar-grade polysilicon.

Other Regions Play Greater Role

Sales growth in our “other” regions resumed after a short lull in the crisis year of 2009. Beating even 2008’s record, sales came in at €150.1 million, 35 percent higher than in 2009 (€111.4 million). Growth was especially strong in the Middle East.