Wacker Chemie AG is constructing a new plant in Burghausen, Germany, to meet the increasing demand for high-quality polymeric binders. The plant will have an annual capacity of 3,800 metric tons and will produce specialty monomers vinyl neodecanoate and vinyl laurate, which are key raw materials for dispersible polymer powders. The construction of the plant will make Wacker more independent of raw material price fluctuations and strengthen its position as the world's leading manufacturer of dispersible polymer powders. The plant is expected to start operating in the second quarter of 2015.
Munich and Burghausen - Wacker Chemie AG is currently building a new plant for specialty monomers with an annual capacity of 3,800 metric tons at its Burghausen site. The Group has budgeted around €8 million for this. The specialty monomers vinyl neodecanoate and vinyl laurate are key raw materials for the manufacture of specific dispersible polymer powders. The plant is scheduled for start-up in the second quarter of 2015. This new development allows WACKER to meet increasing demand for high-quality polymeric binders and strengthens its position as the world’s leading manufacturer of dispersible polymer powders.
WACKER aims to meet the globally rising demand for its dispersible polymer powders, which is driven by worldwide trends such as urbanization, renovation and energy efficiency. With the construction of the new plant for specialty monomers, the Munich-based chemical Group is creating the necessary capacity to independently secure the supply of key raw materials for the manufacture of the powders at its Burghausen site over the long term. The specialty monomers vinyl neodecanoate and vinyl laurate confer special properties on WACKER’s dispersible polymer powders, such as hydrophobicity.
“The construction of the new plant for specialty monomers is an important strategic step,” explains Christoph Riemer, head of dispersible polymer powder business at WACKER POLYMERS. “It makes us more independent of raw-material price fluctuations and boosts supply security during peak-demand periods. In addition, it strengthens the position of specialty products in our dispersible polymer powder portfolio.”
“The new plant uses a process that was specifically developed and patented by WACKER. It is state of the art and allows us to strengthen our market and cost position over the long term,” says Bors C. Abele, head of acetyls business at WACKER POLYMERS.
WACKER has been producing dispersible polymer powders as binders for dry-mix mortars in Burghausen, Germany, since 1957 and, today, is a global technology and market leader in this field. VINNAPAS® dispersible polymer powders find use in various construction applications such as tile adhesives, self-leveling flooring compounds, plasters, repair mortars, external thermal insulation composite systems and cementitious waterproofing membranes. They enhance important end-product properties, such as adhesion, cohesion, flexibility and flexural strength. Water retention, processing properties and weatherability benefit from VINNAPAS®, too.