Dow Corning Corp. and Wacker Chemie GmbH have announced their intent to form a joint venture in Asia. The JV would manufacture silicone intermediates and fumed silica which are used in many finished products. The companies would jointly develop manufacturing of basic materials, however each would independently develop and operate their own manufacturing facilities for finished products at the same site. Each company would continue to compete and operate independently in the marketplace, both inside and outside Asia.