WACKER Expands Polymer Products Capacity in Nanjing

Wacker Chemie AG is expanding its polymer operations in China by investing approximately USD 100 million to establish two new production facilities at its Nanjing site. According to the Munich-based chemicals group, it is expanding Nanjing by adding a reactor for vinyl-acetate-ethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions and a spray dryer for VAE dispersible polymer powders. Construction of the new facilities will commence once local authorities issue final permits. The reactor and spray dryer are scheduled to become operational in the second half of 2022. Upon completion, the two facilities will be among the largest of their kind globally. WACKER's Nanjing expansion will more than double production capacity there and will enable it to meet growing customer demand for high-quality binders, particularly from China's vibrant construction industry. Rudolf Staudigl, CEO of Wacker Chemie AG, explains the investment rationale: "China is the world's largest construction market, accounting for 20 percent of all construction investment globally. Our capacity increase in Nanjing strengthens our global leading position in vinyl acetate-ethylene dispersions and polymer powders." [caption id="attachment_105316" align="aligncenter"] WACKER's Nanjing site: This fully integrated facility produces VINNAPAS® dispersions and dispersible polymer powders for use as binders in construction applications and in paints, coatings and adhesives (photo: Wacker Chemie AG).[/caption]

Paul Lindblad, President WACKER Greater China, adds: "Our binders not only enhance the properties of building materials, they also make construction operations more resource-efficient."

"Ongoing urbanization and the need to renovate existing residential buildings continue to drive the development of environmentally friendly dry-mix building materials in China. The expanded capacities in Nanjing will enable us to reliably meet future market growth in the region." WACKER dispersions and dispersible polymer powders are used in sectors such as construction, paints, coatings and adhesives, for example to formulate high-quality tile adhesives, energy-efficient external thermal insulation composite systems and low-odor, low-emission interior paints. They also find application in paper coatings, carpets and textile products. At the fully integrated production facility in Nanjing Jiangbei New Materials High-Tech Park, WACKER manufactures VAE dispersions, dispersible polymer powders and polyvinyl acetate solid resins. Polyvinyl acetate solid resins, marketed under the VINNAPAS® trade name, are used as binders and/or additives in, for example, adhesives, sound dampening layers or low-profile additives. Consolidating China polymer operations at a single facility creates synergies since shared infrastructure, raw material sourcing and energy sources provide economies of scale. Additionally, this approach makes shipping and logistics particularly efficient.