Wacker Chemie

Wacker Chemie AG is a German multinational chemical company which was founded in 1914 by Alexander Wacker. The company is controlled by the Wacker family holding more than 50 percent of the shares. The corporation operates more than 25 production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

The product range includes silicone rubbers, polymer products like ethylene vinyl acetate redispersible polymer powder, chemical materials, polysilicon and wafers for the semiconductor industry. The company sells its products in more than 100 countries. As of 31 December 2015, 16,972 employees have been with Wacker. Corporate annual sales in 2015, were about 5,3 billion Euros, up 10% compared to 2014.

History

On 13 October 1914, Alexander Wacker established "Dr. Alexander Wacker, Gesellschaft für elektrochemische Industrie KG".[2] The production plant in Burghausen, Upper Bavaria was constructed in 1916 and in December that year the first acetylaldehyde and acetic acid products were manufactured.[3] The company began producing acetone products in the middle of the first World War and became a crucial producer for

Wacker Chemie in the United States

Tennessee polysilicon operations

In early 2009, Wacker announced plans to construct a new solar-grade polysilicon production facility in Charleston, a small city in Bradley County, Tennessee. Groundbreaking occurred on April 8, 2011,[15] and the plant became operational in April 2016, costing approximately US$2.5 billion and making it the largest-ever single private investment in the state of Tennessee.[16] In June 2017, a US$150 million secondary expansion was announced that would allow the plant to manufacture pyrogenic silica.[17] This expansion was completed in October 2019, adding 50 new jobs to the plant.[18]

Safety issues and incidents

In October 2012, two subcontract workers fell to their death resulting in a temporary suspension of construction activities.[19] The subcontracting company was later found to be at fault.
A Tennessee Occupational and Safety Administration (TOSHA) inspection conducted in March 2016 resulted in a fine of US$3,500 for regulatory violations over the control of hazardous energy.[20]
A second TOSHA inspection conducted in August 2016, resulted in a fine of US$4,000 for issues stemming from process safety and respiratory equipment.[20]
On August 30, 2017, 5 workers were hospitalized with chemical burns following a discharge of Silane gas within the plant.[21][22][23]

2017 explosion and aftermath

On September 7, 2017, a massive explosion in the plant's hydrogen recovery unit resulted in the release of a steam cloud which could be seen for several miles, as well as the environmental release of low-concentration hydrochloric acid. Due to initial concerns about the composition of the cloud, local officials closed a section of I-75 between nearby Cleveland and Calhoun, as well as nearby State Route 308 in Charleston.[20][26] During the event, seven local residents, and a plant worker were transported to a local hospital with unspecified injuries.[27] A firefighter and four sheriff's deputies were also treated for heat-related symptoms and later released. The following day, officials from TOSHA announced a temporary shutdown of the plant pending investigation.[23] Five days later, an environmental sensor detected elevated levels of an unnamed substance prompting a shelter-in-place order for emergency workers involved in cleanup efforts within the facility.[28]

Safety issues and incidents

In October 2012, two subcontract workers fell to their death resulting in a temporary suspension of construction activities.[19] The subcontracting company was later found to be at fault.
A Tennessee Occupational and Safety Administration (TOSHA) inspection conducted in March 2016 resulted in a fine of US$3,500 for regulatory violations over the control of hazardous energy.[20]
A second TOSHA inspection conducted in August 2016, resulted in a fine of US$4,000 for issues stemming from process safety and respiratory equipment.[20]
On August 30, 2017, 5 workers were hospitalized with chemical burns following a discharge of Silane gas within the plant.[21][22]

2017 explosion and aftermath

Plastics manufacturing

At the end of 2007, Wacker took over vinyl acetate/ethylene operations from Air Products Polymers. Consequently, it took full ownership of the activities in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Calvert City, Kentucky.[34]

industry	Chemicals
founder	Alexander Wacker
foundation	1914
location	Munich, Germany
traded as	fwb: WCH MDAX
key people	Dr. Christian Hartel (CEO and chairman of the executive board), Peter-Alexander Wacker (Chairman of the supervisory board) , Paul Lindblad (president of Wacker Greater China)
products	Silicon for the semiconductor industry, silane, silicones, polymers, polycrystalline silicon, fine chemicals, biotechnology
revenue	€6,207.5 million (2021) ‡R1R‡
operating income	€1,134.3 million (2021) ‡R1R‡
net income	€827.8 million (2021) ‡R1R‡
assets	€8,134.3 million (end 2021) ‡R1R‡
equity	€3,100.4 million (end 2021) ‡R1R‡
num employees	14,406 (end 2021) ‡R1R‡
website	wacker.com

History

Business activity

Wacker Chemie in the United States

Tennessee polysilicon operations

Safety issues and incidents

2017 explosion and aftermath

Safety issues and incidents

2017 explosion and aftermath

Plastics manufacturing

Locations

Awards

External links

References