WACKER EXPANDS PRODUCTION OF DISPERSIBLE POLYMER POWDERS AT BURGHAUSEN
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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 projects 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 worlds 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. "Thats 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 cus-tomers. 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®.
With production facilities in Europe, the USA and Asia, WACKER POLYMERS has a global presence in key industrial centers. As a result, WACKER POLYMERS can work closely with customers in their local markets. Customer proximity is enhanced by seven WACKER POLYMERS technical centers in Burghausen (Germany), Moscow (Russia), Jandira (Brazil), Adrian (USA), Shanghai (China), Dubai (UAE) and Melbourne (Australia; the most recent addition). The state-of-the-art centers provide applications-engineering ser-vices and individual customer support. Their activities ideally com-plement WACKER POLYMERS global production operations. At its centers, WACKER researches country-specific construction applica-tions and tests locally-used raw materials. It also plays an important role in the formulation of construction-sector standards and guidelines, working closely with universities, scientific institutes, standardization bodies and the authorities. The opening of additional technical centers in Southeast Asia is scheduled for this year.
About WACKER POLYMERS WACKER POLYMERS is a world leader in the production of high-quality binders and polymer additives. Its product portfolio extends from construction chemicals and functional polymers for surface coatings through paints and other industrial applications to base chemicals (acetyls). Dispersible polymer powders, dispersions, solid resins, powder binders and surface coating resins from WACKER POLYMERS are used by the construction, automotive, paper and adhesives industries, as well as by manufacturers of printing inks and industrial coatings. WACKER POLYMERS has production sites in Germany, the USA and China, as well as a global sales network and technology centers in all major regions.
end of announcement euro adhoc 16.05.2006 08:54:28
Further inquiry note:
Nadine Baumgartl
+49 (0)89 6279 1604
nadine.baumgartl@wacker.com
Branche: Chemicals
ISIN: DE000WCH8881
WKN: WCH888
Index: CDAX
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / official dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin-Bremen / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade