Wacker completes US100M capacity expansion for dispersions and powders in Nanjing

An inauguration ceremony marked the completion of the capacity expansion for vinyl-acetate-ethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions and VAE dispersible polymer powders at Wacker’s Nanjing site in China. With a new reactor for dispersions and a new spray dryer for dispersible polymer powders, the expansion more than doubles Wacker’s production capacity in Nanjing, enabling it to meet growing customer demand for its high-quality binders, particularly from China’s buoyant construction industry. Wacker invested around US$100M in its integrated production site for the expansion measure.

“China is the world’s largest construction market, covering about 20% of global construction expenditure. Our VAE dispersions and dispersible powders enable us to supply the growing construction market in China with binders for various applications such as ceramic tile adhesives, waterproofing membranes or carpets. This capacity expansion in Nanjing strengthens our position as the global leader for vinyl-acetate-ethylene dispersions and polymer powders“, noted Christian Hartel, CEO of Wacker Chemie AG. What is more, China is already one of the world’s most important adhesive markets. “Our new plant is close to our customers, thereby supporting their growth even more effectively”, added Peter Summo, who heads the Wacker Polymers business division.

During the inauguration ceremony, Alvin Hu, President of Wacker China, stated that the expansion demonstrated Wacker’s strong focus on the market in China. “The capacity expansion project at the Nanjing site is a milestone for Wacker China. With the expansion, we have at the same time reserved sufficient space for subsequent production lines, allowing for the rapid construction of future expansion projects. It will not only meet increasing customer demand in China, but also provide Wacker with sufficient capacity for its long-term development in the region.”

Wacker’s Nanjing expansion corresponds to a total investment of more than US$100M. The new production facilities more than double the annual capacity of VAE dispersions and VAE dispersible polymer powders on site. The VAE dispersions project is designed around an advanced dispersion-polymerisation process and a safety control system that meets high standards, making the entire process cutting edge in this field. The new production line for VAE dispersible polymer powders adopts advanced spray-drying technology and features an advanced process control system (APC). The two new plants are the largest of their kind in the world. The Nanjing site is one of four production sites Wacker Polymers operates globally.

Wacker’s Nanjing expansion was launched at the end of 2020 and successfully completed after overcoming various challenges posed by the COVID pandemic during construction. Nearly 200 guests attended the inauguration event, including government representatives, customers and distributors.