Silicone firm Elkem’s agent and distributor for silicone products in Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, Silstar, has entered into a joint venture with Saudi Multichem, a company specialising in the supply and formulation of chemical solutions, to establish the first locally integrated specialty silicone supply chain in Saudi Arabia.
While Elkem is not a direct participant in the joint venture, the initiative will rely on its advanced silicone technologies to formulate locally specific solutions for key industrial sectors. This strategic collaboration enables Elkem to support the localisation of silicone-based products in the country, contributing to more responsive supply chains, it adds.
“This partnership reflects Elkem’s commitment to enabling regional access to high-performance silicone materials,” said Laurent Dumont, vice president for Global Business at Elkem. “By supplying our technologies to trusted partners, we help accelerate the localisation of processing and distribution, improve delivery speed, shelf life and inventory availability for customers in the GCC region, while reducing the environmental footprint of long-distance logistics.”
The joint venture will focus on local processing and distribution of silicone-based materials, including compounds, defoamers, RTV-1 elastomers, and specialty fluids. These products critical applications in Saudi Arabia’s growing industrial landscape, such as:
- Oil & Gas: Silicone antifoaming agents for upstream and downstream operations
- Energy: Electronics protection materials for photovoltaic systems
- Construction: Silicone sealants for glazing, facades and insulation
This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national transformation plan launched in 2020, which aims to diversify the economy and strengthen domestic industrial capabilities. With limited local silicone production and promising market potential, the joint venture positions Silstar and Saudi Multichem as key enablers of a localised silicone value chain.
Saudi Multichem, a subsidiary of Al Saidi Trading & Industry, is a Saudi-based company specialising in the supply and formulation of chemical solutions for industrial applications. With a strong presence in the Gulf region, it provides tailored products and services to sectors such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, and construction.