Dow Corning recently unveiled a new online marketplace to buy and sell bulk silicon-based materials, removing cost and time from the chemicals procurement process. Xiameter is based in Midland, Mich. and offers real-time pricing for high-volume shipments of more than 300 fluids, resins, silanes and sealants. The no-frills marketplace does not plan to offer research, intellectual property services or technical services and does not provide samples.

The site provides information on pricing, safety data sheets, minimum and multiple quantities and a cross-reference tool to recommend product equivalents. Orders can be scheduled and guaranteed ontime without any human intervention, which reduces the overhead involved in sales and keeps prices down. The reduced rates offered on the site are expected to bring in new potential markets for silicon-based products.

"Xiameter is for experienced purchasers of silicone materials who have their own infrastructure and expertise," according to Don Sheets, general manager of Xiameter's global team. Target users are those buying more than $50,000 per year worth of silicon-based products in truckload amounts and can plan purchases two to four weeks out.

Xiameter currently has offices in eight countries and sells into 50 countries. Select product pricing is available on the Web site and transactions can be completed online or over the telephone.