The Munich-based chemical Group WACKER is increasing its dispersible polymer powder capacity in China by a further 30,000 metric tons per year by building a new spray dryer in Nanjing. Scheduled to start operations in late 2008, the new plant will be constructed by Wacker Polymer Systems, a joint venture of WACKER and Air Products. The aim of this investment project is to secure sufficient long-term VINNAPAS® polymer-powder capacity and to guarantee Asia-Pacific customers consistently high delivery reliability and product quality in the future, too. WACKER ranks among the world’s largest producers of dispersible polymer powders.

The capacity expansion will enable WACKER to meet increasing global construction-sector demand for high-quality polymeric binders. Construction work is scheduled to start this fall, once all necessary permits have been received from the Chinese authorities.

“China is growing much faster than the global average. It is already the third largest chemical market in the world. That is why we brought a new polymer-powder spray dryer on stream at our Zhangjiagang site in 2005,” explains Arno von der Eltz, President of WACKER POLYMERS. “Powder-capacity expansion at our Burghausen site will be complete this year, we expect to start operating in the third quarter. The new facility in Burghausen and the one planned in Nanjing are essential in order to meet predicted market growth on a long term and stable base.”

WACKER has been producing polymer powders and dispersions for the construction industry for 50 years. VINNAPAS® polymer powders are thermoplastic, plasticizer-free polymers derived primarily from vinyl acetate and ethylene. It was in 1957 that WACKER chemists first succeeded in industrially manufacturing the first powder binder as an additive for dry-mortar mixes. That same year, the first spray dryer for dispersible polymer powders started operating. Today, WACKER POLYMERS is a global market and technology leader in the field of vinyl acetate-based copolymers and terpolymers – marketed worldwide under the VINNAPAS® trademark.

VINNAPAS® polymer powders and dispersions are used in diverse building applications such as exterior insulation and finish systems, construction and tile adhesives, screeds, self-leveling flooring compounds, plasters, repair mortars, fillers and cementitious sealing slurries. They enhance important properties in the end product, such as adhesion, cohesion, flexibility and flexural strength. Water retention, processing properties and weatherability also benefit from VINNAPAS®.