WACKER Opens Additional Laboratory in Moscow

WACKER Opens Cement and Concrete Additives Laboratory in Moscow WACKER is expanding its technical support for the construction sector by opening an additional laboratory in Moscow. The focus here is on water-repellent silicone additives for cement and concrete that provide advanced protection against moisture, salts and unwanted chemical reactions when added to cement-based materials. A development laboratory supporting customers worldwide has now officially opened its doors. The Moscow laboratory is part of WACKER's new Innovation Center for Cement and Concrete. The facility aims to better protect cement and concrete materials from moisture both during storage and after application. To date, moisture protection has consisted of water-repellent silicones applied to the surface after concrete, mortar or plaster has hardened. WACKER has now developed silicone additives that can be added to cement or concrete during production, thereby protecting building materials from moisture damage more effectively. The Moscow laboratory will play a pioneering role in the development of such integrated treatment additives for cement and concrete. Thomas Koini, who heads the Performance Silicones business unit, explained: "There are many factors that affect the properties of cement-based systems. Each manufacturer uses different raw materials and formulations. Our new laboratory in Moscow will give us the first opportunity to systematically examine and test the wide variety of raw materials used in cement and concrete. This puts us in a position to optimize our building protection agents for use in our customers' formulations and compliance with international construction standards. Currently, very few raw material producers offer such comprehensive service."

Comprehensive Testing

A large number of test devices and laboratory equipment are available for the new service. Work can also be leveraged from laboratories operated by other specialist teams in the field. Alexander Serov, chairman of WACKER's subsidiary Wacker Chemie RUS, said: "The Moscow Technical Center has a long history. The first technical laboratory in Moscow opened its doors in 2003. Both WACKER SILICONES and WACKER POLYMERS now operate multiple laboratories in Moscow for building chemistry products. The new facility also has access to this infrastructure. This will enable us to conduct comprehensive tests on our customers' formulations in compliance with all of today's construction standards without having to make additional investments." The laboratory also hopes to collaborate with local universities and testing facilities. Initial projects have already been launched. For example, research conducted at Lomonosov M.V. Moscow State University and previous research at the Gvozdev A.A. Institute for Concrete and Reinforced Concrete has shown that hydrophobic silicones significantly reduce moisture damage in concrete caused by chemical processes such as salt penetration or alkali-silica reaction. Peter Jerschow, head of WACKER's Innovation Center for Cement and Concrete, said: "Prestigious building institutes and centers of major players in the cement industry are based in Moscow, which is a great advantage for us in our work." Jerschow continued by noting that experience and regular mutual exchange with scientific institutes does more than encourage new product development, and added: "They also help us better understand fundamental aspects of building chemistry. This is an important factor that helps us develop innovative solutions for our customers' increasing quality standards." Source