The year 2018 is coming to an end. In the most crazy year for the silicone market, the industry is not quiet, and all kinds of news leading the future direction are constantly emerging. Let's review the top 10 silicone news of 2018.

1. Maitu will be acquired by Korea KCC!

Matu HIGH-TECH Materials Group, a world silicone giant, will be acquired by a capital group composed of KCC, Wonik and SJL of South Korea, and has entered the signing stage of the final merger agreement. Under the agreement, Capital Group will acquire Maitu for approximately $3.1 billion and assume the debt, pension and OPEB liabilities of Maitu Corporation. Jack Boss, CEO of Matto Group, said: "This is a well-thought-out decision that will benefit our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders in the best interests of the company for the long term. The transaction will not only enable the Matto Group's silicone and quartz businesses to benefit from the greater expertise of KCC and Wonik, but also further enhance Matto's leadership position in these areas with the expansion of the business footprint. "The transaction will be conducted through a combination of cash and borrowing, subject to financing contingcontinges. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2019, assuming other matters such as regulatory approvals also go well.

2. General Manager of hesheng resigned

Hesheng Silicon Industry Co., Ltd. announced on December 10 that it had received a written resignation report from the general manager and applied to resign as director, general manager and member of the strategic committee of the board of directors of the company. The notice said that the resignation report will take effect from the date of delivery to the board of directors, and the board of Directors will complete the by-election of directors, members of the strategic committee of the board of directors and the appointment of a new general manager as soon as possible in accordance with legal procedures.

Hesheng Silicon achieved revenue of 8.441 billion yuan in the first three quarters, up 71.51% year on year; Net profit reached 2.246 billion yuan, up 133% year on year; Earnings per share are 3.35 yuan. From 2015 to 2017, hesheng also maintained rapid development, achieving revenues of 4.6 billion yuan, 4.9 billion yuan and 7 billion yuan, respectively, with growth rates of 27%, 49% and 52%. The revenue in the first three quarters of 2018 is already 20% higher than the annual revenue of 7 billion yuan in 2017, and there is no doubt that it will achieve high-speed growth again this year. Hesheng Silicon industry announcement pointed out that the resignation of the general manager will not affect the normal operation of the company's production and management, does not cause the company's board of directors below the legal minimum number, will not affect the board of directors in accordance with the law and standardized operation.

3. Plunge! Silicone prices hit new lows for the year

After entering November, the price of organic silicon fell heavily, and the DMC offer of some enterprises has fallen below 19000 yuan/ton, reaching the lowest price in the year. Moreover, the market transaction is chaotic, the price changes rapidly, the volume is large and the price is excellent, and most of them have a single discussion.

4, Dongyue organic silicon listed

Shandong dongyue silicone materials co., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as dongyue silicone) has to submit the initial public offering prospectus, plans to raise 4.5 billion yuan, organic silicon monomer used for 300000 tons/year, and 200000 tons/year organic silicon downstream products deep processing project, organic silicon monomer unit energy conservation and environmental protection projects, organic silicon research and development center, technical projects, supplementary liquidity, etc. The proposed public offering of RMB ordinary shares (A shares) shall not exceed 30,000.00, accounting for no less than 25.00% of the total capital stock after the public offering, with A par value of RMB 1.00 per share.

5. Yichang Huifu is recognized as the innovation incubation base of gaseous silica!

From May 30th to May 31st, 2018, China Fluorine and Silicon Organic Materials Industry Association ushered in the 30th anniversary of its founding. Famous enterprises in the industry gathered in Beijing Gongxiang event. At the same time, through the resolution of the conference, Yichang Huifu Silicon Material Co., Ltd. was officially awarded as "China fluoro-silicon industry vapor phase silica innovation incubation base"!

6. The export volume of Elkem Spark organic silicon ranks the second in China

The latest relevant data show that the silicone products of ElkeSpark Silicone have been exported to more than 20 countries and regions, such as the United States, France, Germany, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea and so on, and the total export volume has increased rapidly, jumping to the second place in China. Elkeon Spark organosilicon series products such as DMC (methyl ring), D4 (ocTmethylcyclotetrasiloxane) have won the title of famous brand in China. Most of the products have been registered with EU REACH, K-REACH of Korea, and comply with GHS regulations; Some products such as silicone rubber and liquid silicone rubber have been certified by ROHS, REach-SVHC and FDA. The quality testing of all export products shall strictly comply with the relevant enterprise standards or national standards, and meet the relevant laws and regulations of the exporting country.

7. Shin-yue spent $1 billion to expand monomer and downstream

Japan's Shin-etsu Chemical will invest nearly 110 billion yen ($986 million at current exchange rates) to develop its silicone business, one of its core businesses. The investment of 110 billion yen will be used to enhance its end products such as silicone monomers, intermediates and various types of silicone emulsions, silicone resins and silicone rubber in Japan and globally. The capacity expansion of organosilicon monomer and downstream products will be carried out simultaneously, and the construction period will be about two and a half years. Of the Y110bn investment, Y50bn will be used to expand production of silicone monomers, Y50bn will be used to increase production capacity of downstream silicone products, and the remaining Y10bn will be used to build infrastructure and improve transport capacity. In this round of production expansion, the monomer production capacity of Shin-Etsu Group is mainly improved in the bases of Shin-Etsu in Japan and Thailand (the production base of Shin-Etsu in Thailand is the Asian silicone monomer plant), and the downstream product production capacity expansion is mainly carried out in the other six overseas bases except Japan.

8, Xin 'an chemical strong layout of silicone downstream

On October 15, Sun An Chemical decided to transfer 24% of the shares of Sun An Matto (accounting for US $25.2 million) held by Sun An Hong Kong, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to US $29,787,953.42, and signed the Share Transfer Agreement on the same day. After the completion of the equity transfer, Xinan Chemical accounted for 51% of the equity of Xinan Matu, and Maitu Singapore accounted for 49%, marking the beginning of the strong layout of organic silicon downstream of Xinan Chemical.

9. Domestic and foreign silicone rubber bigwigs attended the customer exchange meeting of Yuanxiang New Material

From August 11th to 12th, the customer exchange meeting for the 10th anniversary of the production of Fujian Yuanxiang New Material Co., Ltd. with the theme of "Ten years' experience, Thank you" was held in Shaowu City, Fujian Province. Nearly 200 big players of silicone rubber enterprises from all over the country came to attend.

10. Hubei Xingfa started the expansion of 360,000 tons of organic silicon monomer plant

Xingfa Group has entered the silicone industry since 2008. At present, it has built units with annual output of 200,000 tons of silicone monomer, 30,000 tons of 110 glue, 30,000 tons of 107 glue, 30,000 tons of sealant, etc. In addition, it has built units of glyphosate, glycine, electronic chemicals, etc., forming a complete circular economy industry chain. At the same time, it promotes open development and introduces Huifu, Kemai, Xingzhixin, Kelin, Junbang and other companies to accelerate the deep processing of silicone downstream products, and a complete category and rich variety of silicone industrial group has initially formed. The company is launching the project of technical improvement of silicone monomer device and expansion of downstream device. After completion, the annual capacity of silicone monomer will reach 360,000 tons, the annual capacity of 110 glue will reach 80,000 tons, and the annual capacity of 107 glue will reach 60,000 tons。