Elkem has announced the integration of two Chinese entities into the Elkem group, as well as the renaming of Bluestar Silicones to Elkem Silicones. As part of Elkem’s growth strategy the company has assumed responsibility for Bluestar Xinghuo Silicones and Yongdeng Silicon Materials and integrating them into the Elkem group. The two plants have previously been owned directly by its owners, China National Bluestar. This move further develops Elkem’s integrated silicone value chain, from upstream quartz mining to silicon, silicones and downstream silicones specialities. The Elkem group will now have 26 manufacturing sites and about 6200 employees.
At the same time as Elkem assumed responsibility for the two new entities, Elkem’s silicones division changed its name from Bluestar Silicones to Elkem Silicones. The new Elkem Silicones division will group together about 3000 employees for an annual turnover approaching 1 billion euros. The division will operate with a strong base comprising 2 upstream manufacturing sites, one located in Asia and one located in Europe, along with 8 downstream manufacturing sites and 10 R&D centres worldwide.