Silicones make millions of products perform better, longer and more reliably. They make life safer, more comfortable, stylish and enjoyable.

Silicones are a family of materials that include siloxanes and silanes. Silicones derive ultimately from silicon, as contained in sand and other minerals. It is the second most common element in the Earth's crust.
Silicones are sophisticated products that are extremely versatile and can be manufactured in more than 2,000 different forms, within the general categories of silanes, fluids, elastomers and resins.

Silicones have important chemical and physical qualities derived from their molecular structure. Depending on requirements, these include longevity, thermostability, chemical, electrical and ultraviolet resistance, enduring elasticity, tensile strength, inertness and microbial resistance. They can be formulated either to resist or absorb water. They are much valued for their purity, especially for advanced electrical devices, and for their cleanliness.

Silicones are durable, reliable and often employed to enhance or to confer specific performance properties. They promote sustainable development by making other materials last longer - reducing society's consumption of basic raw materials to ensure their availability for future generations.

Centre Européen des Silicones - CES

Centre Européen des Silicones - CES - is the trade organisation representing all major producers of silicones in Europe.

Members of CES are:

Bluestar Silicones
Dow Corning
Evonik Industries
Momentive Performance Materials
Shin-Etsu Silicones
WACKER

The organisation provides information on silicones from a health, safety and environmental perspective and is dedicated to the principles of Responsible Care.

CES is non-profit making and has no commercial role. It is a sector group of the European Chemical Industry
Council (Cefic).

For detailed information about CES and the benefits, uses and science of silicones, please see:
www.silicones.eu