WACKER takes over completed building of new production facility in Karlovy Vary. The site will offer up to 200 jobs
Panattoni, the largest developer of industrial real estate in Europe, together with investment group Accolade, have handed over the completed building of WACKER’s new production facility in Karlovy Vary. Technology installations are now under way. The site covers approximately 25,000 m². WACKER, a global chemical group and leading manufacturer of specialty silicones, expects to create up to 200 jobs in the region.
WACKER has taken over the premises of its new production facility in Karlovy Vary. The company is currently expanding its manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand for specialty silicone products. Once the plant at Accolade Park Karlovy Vary is fully operational, it will produce high-performance types of silicone rubber. These materials include products that cure both at room temperature and at elevated temperatures. They will be used across a range of fast-growing industries, including automotive, energy, electromobility, medical technology, home appliances and electrical engineering. The Karlovy Vary plant will be the company’s second production facility in the Czech Republic. WACKER has been manufacturing finished silicone compounds in Plzeň since 2007.
“Karlovy Vary will become a new and important pillar of our silicone activities in Europe. It will strengthen our position as a leading manufacturer of specialty silicones. Our specialty silicones are in demand across all key growth markets. The driving forces are megatrends such as electromobility, renewable energy and the expansion of energy grids, which require high-performance materials. To be able to meet this demand in the long term, we need to lay the foundations for our future growth now. With the new production facilities in Karlovy Vary, we are opening a new chapter in the successful history of our silicone business.” — Tom Koini, Head of the Silicones Division, WACKER
The new plant has been built in the Bohatice district on the north-eastern edge of the city. It covers an area of approximately 25,000 m² and, in addition to production space, offers laboratories and testing facilities for testing and development. It is designed to meet the most stringent requirements for modern, high-value-added manufacturing.
Accolade Park Karlovy Vary delivers a significant socio-economic boost to the region. The new plant will employ approximately 200 people, predominantly qualified specialists. This will broaden labour market opportunities, with new openings in industry and technology supporting a more stable and diversified regional economy.
“The arrival of top-tier manufacturing such as WACKER represents exactly the vision we pursue across all our European locations. We have been preparing the site in Karlovy Vary since 2016 with the aim of attracting a major investment of this calibre. The region has significant potential, and we are pleased that it is being entered by a company with first-class technologies that creates quality jobs and plans to operate here for many years to come. Creating ideal conditions for tenants of this type is not a side concern for Accolade. It is our goal. We deeply value WACKER’s trust and look forward to the continuation of a successful partnership.” — Milan Kratina, CEO, Accolade
Particular emphasis during the design and construction was placed on long-term sustainability and environmental responsibility. The facility is equipped with a range of energy-efficient technologies, such as heat pumps, photovoltaic readiness, heat recovery systems and sustainable rainwater management. The building’s operation is therefore designed for maximum energy efficiency without the use of fossil fuels. Employees will also be able to reach the site by public transport, as a bus stop is located within a short walking distance. The building targets the prestigious international sustainability certification BREEAM New Construction at the Excellent level.
Accolade and Panattoni also implemented a new access road and pavement in cooperation with the City of Karlovy Vary as part of the project. These infrastructure measures improve the overall accessibility of WACKER’s new facility and the location as a whole.
The site is strategically connected to major transport routes. It is located near the D6 motorway (at exit 125) and European road E442, providing fast connections to both Germany and Slovakia. An additional advantage is the facility’s convenient location — just two kilometres from Karlovy Vary railway station — with excellent transport links to the nearby towns of Sokolov and Cheb.