Wacker will expand hybrid polymer production in Germany

MUNICH, Germany—Wacker Chemie A.G. soon will begin construction of a new production line for silane-terminated polymers in Nuenchritz, Germany.

These hybrid polymers are used as binders in adhesives and sealants, liquid waterproofing systems and environmentally friendly flooring adhesives, the company said.

The project is slated to get under way this wear, with production from the new line slated to come online in 2022. Munich-based Wacker characterized the investment in the project "in the mid double-digit million range."

Wacker has been in the silane-terminated polymers business for more than 15 years at its Burghausen, Germany, facility. The hybrid-polymer segment has experienced what the company calls "robust growth" and Wacker is the second-largest maker of silane-terminated binders for adhesives and sealants.

"Given the obvious rise in demand for such products, expanding our production capacity for hybrid polymers was a logical decision," Executive Board Member Auguste Willems said in a statement.

Wacker is expanding in Nuenchritz for a variety of reasons, including market access, raw material availability and, "most importantly, production technology aspects," the company said.

"We have the space for a fully integrated production line in Nuenchritz, which we could even expand, should the need arise," Willems said.

Wacker sees hybrid polymers as one of the company's most important areas of growth. That's because silane-modified polymers allow for the manufacture of what the company calls environmentally friendly adhesives.

"The sustainability aspect is steadily gaining traction with the formulation of adhesives and sealants as well. This is what attracts manufacturers and customers alike," Robert Gnann, head of the company's silicones business division, said in a statement. "The alpha-silane technology allows us to develop customized binders for an exceptionally wide variety of adhesives and applications. Demand for these kinds of adhesives will continue to increase in the coming years."

Wacker markets its silane-modified polymers under the Geniosil brand.

Wacker is one of the world's largest silicone makers with a line of more than 2,800 products. They include silicone fluids, emulsions, resins, elastomers, sealants, silanes, silane-terminated polymers and pyrogenic silica.

Wacker Silicones account for about half of Wacker Chemie's sales.