Wacker demos EV battery gear, AI cooling tech at supply chain expo

A view of Wacker's exhibition stand at the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

German chemical company Wacker Chemie AG showcased four new technologies for electric vehicles and data centers at its debut appearance at the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing last week.

"Wacker's debut at CISCE features our latest products and technical solutions developed to support industrial development in China," said Alvin Hu, president of Wacker China.

"We remain firmly committed to long-term investment in the Chinese market and believe the expo serves as a vital platform for Wacker to collaborate with Chinese partners, drive innovation and shape future cooperation," Hu added.

Wacker unveiled a new flame-retardant silicone rubber developed to protect EV battery components. The material transforms into ceramic at extreme temperatures of 1,000 degrees Celsius, creating a barrier that blocks flame spread while maintaining insulation.

The company also showcased a thermal interface material for automotive semiconductor packaging. The material withstands temperature swings from minus 40 C to 180 C and maintains stable performance under prolonged high-temperature conditions.

"As a global leader in silicone manufacturing, Wacker has long been dedicated to the automotive sector, continuously advancing silicone applications in new energy vehicles to support the industry's transformation," said Rick Wu, vice president of Construction and Coatings at Wacker Silicones and vice president of Wacker China. 

Wu said the company plans to collaborate closely with partners across China's thriving new energy vehicle supply chain to provide materials and solutions for sustainable market growth.

The company is also targeting China's booming data center market with silicone-based immersion cooling fluids developed by its Chinese research team. The technology addresses overheating problems in AI servers that traditional air-cooling systems struggle to solve.

Liu Xuelin, vice president of Wacker China, said the company's products and technologies are widely used across emerging industries, and that Wacker will use the CISCE platform to explore new applications in China's industrial sectors and seek partnerships for growth.