WACKER Expands New Product Line

WACKER Expands Bio-Based Polymeric Binder Product Line WACKER is expanding its portfolio of polymeric binders based on renewable raw materials. Under its VINNECO® brand, the Munich-based company will introduce a redispersible polymer powder manufactured using bio-based acetic acid. The new redispersible polymer powder VINNECO® 5044 N is particularly suitable for producing construction materials such as dry-mix mortars for water-barrier membranes or external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS). Ecologically sustainable building construction plays a key role in global efforts to reduce climate-damaging carbon dioxide. As architects and contractors increasingly turn to renewable raw materials, more and more construction material manufacturers are now offering such solutions. Frank Reichle, Director of WACKER's Western Europe Construction Polymers division, said: "By 2030, 90 percent of our portfolio will consist of products rated as sustainable or at least carbon-neutral. With VINNECO® 5044 N, we are taking another step in this direction by offering our customers a sustainable alternative to VINNAPAS® 5044 N in the future. Our VINNECO® product series enables manufacturers to replace fossil raw materials with renewable energy sources." [caption id="attachment_100147" align="aligncenter"] These binders provide high levels of flexibility and adhesion in construction applications such as dry-mix mortars, tile adhesives or water-barrier membranes. (Photo: Wacker Chemie AG)[/caption]   WACKER bases the production of its new redispersible polymer powder on bio-based acetic acid. This material is generated as a byproduct of wood industry processes, such as fiber material preparation for paper production. The wood is obtained from forests within a 400 km radius of WACKER's Burghausen region and certified by PEFC® (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes). Bio-based acetic acid is extremely pure with low water content and represents a genuine alternative to fossil sources such as natural gas or petroleum due to its excellent quality. WACKER uses bio-based acetic acid and ethylene to produce vinyl acetate monomer. This is then copolymerized using ethylene to form vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE). The resulting liquid polymer dispersions are used, for example, in paint manufacture. WACKER then uses these dispersions in large spray dryers where they are atomized and fed into a hot gas stream to produce redispersible polymer powders.

These binders are added to construction applications such as dry-mix mortars, tile adhesives or water-barrier membranes to provide high levels of flexibility and adhesion.

In production, bio-based acetic acid can be blended with conventional acetic acid and therefore connects directly to WACKER's existing production line. The quality and properties of the binders are absolutely identical regardless of whether the VAE they contain is made from conventional or bio-based acetic acid. The compound always has the same chemical and physical properties. Manufacturers already using VINNAPAS® 5044 N for dry-mix mortar production can thus preserve their processes and do not need to modify their formulations. VINNECO® 5044 N is rheologically neutral and improves adhesion, flexural strength, deformability, abrasion resistance and workability without significantly affecting the flow, thixotropy or water retention properties of modified formulations. The binder is particularly suitable for formulating low-emission mortars with high flexibility and excellent adhesion properties to organic substrates, such as polystyrene used in external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS). WACKER uses the mass balance method to verify the proportion of bio-based acetic acid in the finished product. The technical inspection and certification body TÜV SÜD has confirmed that this method meets TÜV SÜD's international CMS 71 standard. When customers order a specific quantity of VINNECO® 5044 N, they can be assured that the required amount of bio-based acetic acid is fed into the integrated production system. As verification, the customer receives a TÜV certificate confirming the use of renewable raw materials. Thanks to the mass balance method, it will be possible in the future to produce and certify all other products in the VINNAPAS® series as sustainable alternatives. WACKER presented the first products in the VINNECO® series at European Coatings Show 2019. In addition to the new redispersible polymer powder, the group's international portfolio includes eight different dispersions for use in interior paints and plasters, adhesives, carpets and technical textiles.

Mass Balance Method

When raw materials obtained from renewable and conventional – often fossil-based – sources are used as starting materials in the same integrated production system, the mass balance approach can be used to mathematically allocate a portion of the renewable raw materials to individual sales products. This approach is comparable to the green electricity certification system used in Germany. WACKER's mass balance method for verifying renewable raw materials in production has been approved by international technical inspection body TÜV SÜD. This provides WACKER with an approved method to track the use of renewable sources throughout the entire production process, through to the finished product. To qualify, renewable (raw material) suppliers must use a sustainable production process for the raw materials WACKER purchases, and all required starting materials must also be obtained from sustainable sources. WACKER must also undergo annual TÜV audits to verify that the appropriate amount of renewable raw materials is always added during the production of the declared products.   [caption id="attachment_100148" align="aligncenter"] The Mass Balance Method provides WACKER with an approved method to track the use of renewable sources throughout the entire production process through to the finished product. (Image: Wacker Chemie AG)[/caption]