Success Story: WACKER & Nordmann Partnership

Strong partnerships, technical expertise, and a shared vision of future market needs characterize the collaboration between WACKER and Nordmann in the United Kingdom. Since the launch of their strategic partnership in the field of silicone elastomers in April 2025, their presence in European markets has continued to grow.

1. What application requirements and trends are currently shaping the British silicone market?

Tom: The UK remains predominantly a high consistency rubber (HCR) market. This contrasts with continental Europe, where liquid silicone rubber (LSR) products tend to dominate commercial volumes due to the presence of high-volume injection moulding and textile coating businesses. 

Demand following our partnership with WACKER last year has been particularly strong in compounding and extrusion applications. We have seen consistent, broad interest in the well-known WACKER ELASTOSIL® R 401 series. This is an excellent workhorse grade suitable for a diverse range of end applications. There is also targeted demand for more specialised HCR grades, including the ELASTOSIL® R 420 series for high-tear resistance and the ELASTOSIL® R 770 series for its flame-retardant properties. 

2.  Where do future opportunities lie?

Tom: The strong appetite for silicone HCR in the UK also highlights an exciting future opportunity to now offer our NORCOMP pre-compounded material service in this market as well. With over 20 years of expertise, we already develop and deliver high-quality silicone compounds designed for demanding applications in mainland Europe. As an independent compounder, we combine technical know-how with flexibility to create solutions that meet exact requirements. Utilising WACKER's high-quality silicone HCR portfolio, we are in a position now to deliver tailor-made and ready to use silicone compounds directly to our UK customers. This could allow them to bypass high-cost internal mixing steps while maximising throughput and maintaining outstanding batch-to-batch consistency. Really great opportunities 😊

3.  How would you summarize your experiences and results from working with WACKER so far? 

Tom: I see our partnership with WACKER as one that is greater than the sum of its parts. The experience continues to demonstrate the incredible value we can provide our customers by combining world class products and material innovation, with a desire to deliver not just materials, but practical solutions that work. Our partnership is about more than just supplying the market. Together, we want to drive innovation, stay on the cutting edge, and actively shape the future of the market. That’s exactly what sets us apart.

An African proverb aptly expresses this attitude: 

„If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.“

Thank you very much, Tom, for the interview.