WACKER Chemie AG has officially launched a new production site for specialty silicones in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic—marking a major expansion of its European manufacturing network after just two years of construction.
The facility, which began initial production immediately after completion, will supply customized silicones for high-growth sectors including electromobility, healthcare, medical technology, household appliances, and energy infrastructure such as power-grid expansion.
At the commissioning ceremony attended by around 100 guests from politics, business and industry, Executive Board member Christian Kirsten underlined the strategic importance of the site:
“Karlovy Vary is an important pillar for our silicone activities in Europe and a central building block in our specialties strategy. With the new site, we are expanding our position as a solution provider for customers in key industries.”
A new industrial hub in Europe’s silicone network
The Karlovy Vary site becomes a key node in WACKER’s restructured European silicone production system, alongside Plzeň, Nünchritz, and Burghausen. Each location will now specialize in distinct product lines—from liquid silicone rubber to thermally conductive materials and medical-grade gels.
Kirsten said the integration will sharpen efficiency and flexibility: "Karlovy Vary will make our integrated production network in Europe much more flexible, agile and efficient”, emphasized Kirsten in his speech.
“Karlovy Vary complements our existing sites and, thanks to state-of-the-art production technology, creates the underlying conditions for extremely high levels of efficiency and quality. Going forward, this will enable us to serve our customers even better thanks to high-quality and innovative products. With Karlovy Vary, we are beginning a new chapter in our silicones’ success story.”
Built for megatrends
The company says demand is being driven by global megatrends—electromobility, renewable energy, grid expansion, digitalization, and medical innovation—where advanced silicones are increasingly replacing conventional materials.
The new site is located in the Business Park Karlovy Vary, a 25,000-square-meter industrial zone owned by investment group Accolade, with the building shell developed by Panattoni and production systems designed by WACKER itself.
Panattoni’s Commercial Director in the Czech Republic, Jiří Zita, said: "We are proud to have been able to build business facilities in Karlovy Vary that go beyond the region’s traditional spa, energy and coal industries. From the very beginning, our goal has been not only to deliver a modern industrial facility of the highest global quality, but also to provide an impetus for the further development of the local economy”
Accolade CEO Milan Kratina added: "The moment we stop talking about the potential of our investments and start seeing how it materializes in practice is the best reward for years of preparation. The Karlovy Vary site is now entering precisely this phase, as WACKER begins operations and gains state-of-the-art facilities for development and production.
"For the Karlovy Vary region, this represents a significant strengthening of its industrial development; for us, it confirms that the right location will always find the right tenant”, he said. “I would like to thank the entire team that worked on the project, the region and the city of Karlovy Vary for their long-term cooperation, and the tenant WACKER for the trust they have placed in us.”
Regional impact and jobs
The site strengthens WACKER’s long-standing presence in the Czech Republic, where it already operates a major production base in Plzeň. The new facility is expected to create up to 200 jobs by 2028, focusing on skilled technical roles.
Regional leaders welcomed the investment.
Governor Petr Kubis said: “Our goal is to create the conditions for quality jobs, the development of regional infrastructure, and a long-term competitive economy. The signing of this memorandum therefore represents an important step and a catalyst for strengthening economic development in the Karlovy Vary Region. Our partnership with WACKER opens up new opportunities in the areas of innovation, education, and sustainable industry, and enhances the region’s appeal for further investment."
With the Karlovy Vary plant now online, WACKER is positioning itself more aggressively in high-value silicone specialties used in electric vehicles, medical applications such as wound care, and advanced energy systems.
The company describes the site as a cornerstone of its European strategy—one designed to increase speed, efficiency, and proximity to fast-growing industrial customers.
