Regions

WACKER’s operations are highly international – 81.7 percent of 2011’s €4.91 billion in sales was generated by business abroad (2010: €4.75 billion). Germany accounted for 18.3 percent.

Further Growth for Asia

Regionally, Asia offers us the greatest potential for business and growth. Its emerging economies – with their rising living standards – are spurring demand for the high-quality products that we supply. Accounting for 37 percent of Group sales (2010: 36 percent), Asia remains our principal market. Sales there reached €1.82 billion (2010: €1.72 billion) – a 6.1-percent increase. In Greater China (including Taiwan), WACKER’s sales broke the billion-euro barrier for the first time ever, reaching €1.03 billion – a 2.6-percent increase on the 2010’s €999.4 million. Our solar-grade polysilicon business remained very robust in this region. As for our silicone and polymer activities, further capacity expansions enabled us to respond even faster and more effectively to our Chinese customers’ needs, thus strengthening our market position there. In India, Asia’s second-biggest market, WACKER increased its sales revenues by 3.6 percent.

Slightly Higher Sales in Europe

2011 saw sales edge up slightly in Europe, where we have a very strong market presence. Sales increased by 1.0 percent to €1.19 billion (2010: €1.18 billion). Europe accounted for a 24.2 percent share in Group sales (2010: 24.8 percent). In Germany, sales grew by 1.4 percent to €899.4 million (2010: €887.3 million).

Further Business Growth in the Americas

Business in the Americas continued to develop positively in 2011. We were able to profit from the substitution of styrene butadiene with VAE dispersions in the packaging and carpet industries. Plus, sales of solar-grade polysilicon contributed toward this growth. The region’s sales climbed 3.4 percent to €846.4 million (2010: €818.2 million).

Other Regions with Growth Potential

Sales in the “Other” regions continue to grow steadily. In 2011, sales rose 3.4 percent to €155.2 million (2010: €150.1 million). The Middle East is a major driving force behind this growth. Sales volumes of WACKER products there grew by 15.1 percent.