Construction of Shin-Etsu Silicones of America (SESA)'s new manufacturing facility in Freeport, Texas, U.S.A. for the production of specialty silanes (silane coupling agents), has been completed, and the plant began operations.

This new plant produces Amino silanes, Polysulfide silanes and others. These specialty silanes are used in diverse applications, such as for adhesives, coating agents and glass fibers. They are also used in automobile tires, rubbers and electronic components. The demand of these products is increasing steadily every year. Specialty silanes make a contribution to the intended applications by improving the features and characteristics of end products.

In particular, specialty silanes are used as a highly beneficial additive in the production of silica filler reinforced automobile tires, which reduces rolling resistance, and, in turn, it reduces fuel consumption of automobiles. The demand of silica tire is recently increasing rapidly.

By adding the production capacity of the new plant, Shin-Etsu's production capacity for specialty silanes has now doubled over its previous capacity level. Shin-Etsu is now serving high-quality silane products to the global market.