Bluestar Silicones becomes Elkem Silicones

Silicon-related advanced materials manufacturer Elkem is proceeding with the integration of two Chinese entities into the Elkem group, and at the same time is renaming Bluestar Silicones to Elkem Silicones.

As part of Elkem’s growth strategy, the company is assuming responsibility for Bluestar Xinghuo Silicones and Yongdeng Silicon Materials and integrating them into the Elkem group. Until now, the two plants have been directly owned by Elkem’s parent company, China National Bluestar. Elkem states that the change further develops its integrated silicone value chain, from upstream quartz mining to silicon, silicones and downstream silicones specialities. The Elkem group will now possess 26 manufacturing sites and employ approximately 6,200 people.

“With this integration, Elkem can capitalise on the strengths of its industrial footprint, R&D competencies, and sales and marketing excellence so that Elkem Silicones can provide even more value to our customers and stakeholders. We are excited to grow the Elkem group and to develop the company further,” says Helge Aasen, chief executive officer of Elkem.

Simultaneous to Elkem’s assumption of responsibility for the two new entities, Elkem’s silicones division is changing its name from Bluestar Silicones to Elkem Silicones. “Being part of Elkem gives a strong financial foundation for further growth, enabling Elkem Silicones to remain a competitive and agile provider of innovative silicone solutions,” comments Frederic Jacquin, chief executive officer of Elkem Silicones. “Elkem Silicones will become an important player in the fast-growing silicones industry to enable our customers to deliver their potential.”

The new Elkem Silicones division will group together about 3,000 employees for an annual turnover approaching 1 billion euros. The division will operate with a strong base comprising two upstream manufacturing sites, one located in Asia and one located in Europe, along with eight downstream manufacturing sites and ten R&D centres worldwide. The business services a range of industries and applications, including tyre manufacture, which benefits from the Lyndcoat range of silicones that are used in mould releases, bladder coatings, bladder paints, as repair agents, in paints and band-ply lubricants and for improved bladder centring and air evacuation.

“We are excited to be part of this growth story and to keep improving and developing our offering in the silicones industry further,” adds Jacquin. “Our new footprint will contribute to offer our customers better service, stronger growth capabilities and continued security of supply.”