May 17 2006
WACKER, the Munich-based chemical company, is constructing a new plant to expand its production capacity for dispersible polymer powders by another 30,000 metric tons per year. Designed to offer world-class technology and capacity levels, the new plant is scheduled to start operations in 2007. The capacity expansion will enable WACKER to meet increasing global demand for high-quality polymeric binders for the construction sector. The investment project’s goal is to secure sufficient, long-term VINNAPAS® polymer powder capacity and to assure customers of consistently high delivery reliability and product quality for the future. Today, WACKER ranks among the world’s largest producers of dispersible polymer powders.
“Production increases are vital for sustainably meeting the market growth rates forecast by so many experts,” explains Arno von der Eltz, head of WACKER POLYMERS. “That’s why a new powder spray dryer came on stream at Zhangjiagang (China) last year. The expansion project now planned will enable us to supply the quantities needed by customers in the future, especially by our European customers. It will also reinforce our strong position in the polymer-powder market.”
WACKER POLYMERS has been producing polymer powders and dispersions for the construction industry for almost 50 years. VINNAPAS® polymer powders are thermoplastic polymers derived primarily from vinyl acetate and ethylene. They serve as film-forming binders in numerous applications, including tile adhesives, joint fillers, mineral plasters, sealing slurries, gypsum, repair mortars, self-leveling flooring compounds and powder paints. They enhance important properties in the end product, such as adhesion, cohesion, flexibility and flexural strength. Water retentivity, processing properties and weatherability also benefit from VINNAPAS®.