Bluestar silicones announces growth of Silcolease Range

Bluestar Silicones, formerly Rhodia Silicones, announced during Labelexpo Europe 2007 that it is investing up to seven million Euros during the next two years to double its upstream capacity for MQ resins and specialty raw materials at its St. Fons production facility in France.  

The company successfully completed the first phase of the capacity expansion in September 2007, providing an additional 25 percent capacity of resins. The additional capacity will be used to accelerate the growth of Bluestar Silicones’ Silcolease brand systems for the release coatings and pressure sensitive labels and textile coating markets. The significant new additional capacity is expected to be on line during 2008 with the completion of the expansion planned for early 2009.

‘We have a long history of providing innovative solutions to this marketplace, notably introducing low platinum silicone solventless systems through our Optima concept,’ said Karsten Schlichter, global market manager. ‘Now, as Bluestar Silicones, we have the financial ability to grow with the market and create real value for our customers through innovation and customization. Our ongoing investments in production and R&D around the world are indicative of our commitment to the release coatings and pressure sensitive markets.’