In 2016, there was a change in the competitive position of one of WACKER’s four biggest divisions by sales. Following the takeover of SunEdison Semiconductor by Global Wafers, a semiconductor group based in Taiwan, Siltronic became the number four manufacturer of silicon. The competitive positions of WACKER’s other divisions remained unchanged, and we are among the top three suppliers worldwide in these three areas. We are the world market leader for a number of products, such as VINNAPAS® dispersible polymer powders for the construction industry. Asia is the key sales region for our products, followed by Europe and the Americas.
WACKER’s Competitive Positions
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Number 1 |
Number 2 |
Number 3 |
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WACKER SILICONES |
Dow Corning |
WACKER |
Momentive |
WACKER POLYMERS |
WACKER (dispersible polymer powders / VAE dispersions) |
Akzo Nobel (Elotex) (dispersible polymer powders) / Celanese (dispersions) |
Dairen (dispersible polymer powders / dispersions) |
WACKER POLYSILICON |
GCL-Poly |
WACKER |
OCI |
Competitive Positions of WACKER’s Divisions
WACKER SILICONES is number two in the world and leads the market in Europe. In the case of building-protection silicones, WACKER is the global market leader. Offering a wide range of properties, silicones are used in every major industry. The largest growth potential lies in Asia.
WACKER POLYMERS is the world’s largest producer of dispersions and dispersible polymer powders based on vinyl acetate-ethylene. Importantly, we are the only company in the market to have a complete supply chain for dispersions and powders in Europe, the Americas and Asia. At this division, too, we see Asia as the region with the largest growth potential.
WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS is the global market leader in cyclodextrins and cysteine, and in polyvinyl acetate solid resins for gumbase. We hold a small but promising market position as a producer of bacterial pharmaceutical proteins and are continually working to expand that position. The division also offers fine chemicals in profitable niches.
Business at WACKER POLYSILICON is marked by volume growth and intense competition. Determining factors are the solar industry’s demand for polysilicon and market trends in the world’s solar sector. WACKER POLYSILICON is number two in the world in terms of production capacity. Our sales volume exceeded 66,000 metric tons in 2016.
Siltronic is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of silicon wafers and other products for the semiconductor industry. Its customers include all the major global semiconductor companies, which account for over 80 percent of our sales in this segment.