BRB Silicones launches synthesis plant in Malaysia

A traditional lion dance and various dignitaries marked the grand opening of BRB Silicone Synthesis in MalaysiaBRB Silicones inaugurated its new silicone synthesis plant in Malaysia on 2 June. The opening of the plant marks the expansion of the global producer of silicones’ Malaysian industrial footprint to further back integrate into dimethicone copolyols, alkyl dimethicones and volatile dimethicones.

The company enters a new phase of business with BRB Silicone Synthesis in Malaysia, as it is a multipurpose plant and GMP production facility with a combined annual capacity of 10 000 metric tonnes. The plant is designed to manufacture vinyl silicone fluid, silicone polyether, low viscosity polydimethylsiloxane fluids, cross-linkers and chain extenders, gum blends, silicone emulsions and silicone antifoams. These products cater for personal and home care, coatings and construction, and latex and rubber industries.

The company invested a total of MYR45 million into the new plant, which spans 16 200m2. Construction began in May 2014 and was completed during the second quarter of 2016.

A special celebration

The plant has been officiated by His Excellency Mr Harry Molenaar, Dutch ambassador in Malaysia; Datuk N Rajendran Nayaranasamy, deputy CEO of the Malaysia Investment Development Authority, and Datuk Baharuddin bin Mohd Rafik, director of the Royal Malaysia Custom Department, Selangor State Branch.

All guests attending the opening were treated to a traditional lion dance performance followed by a guided tour of the plant. The performance of the lion dance was used as a symbol of reassurance that all of BRB’s efforts regarding the new silicone synthesis plant would be met with success.