WACKER Completes Capacity Expansion

WACKER Completes Capacity Expansion WACKER Completes Capacity Expansion for Dispersions and Powders in Nanjing An opening ceremony demonstrated the completion of WACKER's capacity expansion for vinyl-acetate-ethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions and VAE water-dispersible polymer powders at its Nanjing facility in China. The expansion, featuring a new reactor for dispersions and a new spray dryer for water-dispersible polymer powders, doubles WACKER's production capacity in Nanjing, enabling the company to meet rising customer demand for high-quality binders, particularly from China's dynamic construction industry. WACKER invested approximately USD 100 million in the integrated production facility for the expansion. Wacker Chemie AG CEO Christian Hartel stated, "China accounts for approximately 20% of global construction spending and is the world's largest construction market. Our VAE dispersions and water-dispersible powders enable us to supply binders for various applications in China's growing construction market, such as ceramic tile adhesives, waterproofing membranes or coatings. This capacity increase in Nanjing strengthens our position as a global leader in vinyl-acetate-ethylene dispersions and polymer powders. Moreover, China is already one of the world's most important adhesive markets." Peter Summo, Head of the WACKER POLYMERS business division, added, "Our new facility is close to our customers, allowing us to support their growth more effectively." During the opening ceremony, WACKER China Chairman Alvin Hu noted that the expansion demonstrates WACKER's strong focus on the Chinese market. "The capacity expansion project at the Nanjing facility is a milestone for WACKER China. With the expansion, we have also reserved sufficient space for subsequent production lines, enabling rapid construction of future expansion projects. This will not only meet rising customer demand in China, but also provide WACKER with adequate capacity for long-term development in the region." WACKER's Nanjing expansion corresponds to an investment exceeding USD 100 million. The new production facilities increase the annual capacity for VAE dispersions and VAE water-dispersible polymer powders at the site by more than a factor of two. The VAE dispersion project is designed around an advanced dispersion polymerization process and a safety control system meeting the highest standards, making the entire process state-of-the-art in this field. The new production line for VAE water-dispersible polymer powders employs advanced spray-drying technology and features an advanced process control system (APC). The two new facilities are among the largest of their kind worldwide. The Nanjing facility is one of four production plants where WACKER POLYMERS operates globally. WACKER's Nanjing expansion was launched in late 2020 and successfully completed after overcoming various challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic during construction. Approximately two hundred guests attended the opening event, including government representatives, customers and distributors. Source