Wacker starts up new dispersions plant

Wacker Chemie AG officially started production at its new production plant for vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions. Located at its Nanjing site, the plant generates additional 60,000 metric tonnes (MT) from the second reactor line, the local VAE dispersion capacity is doubling to total 120,000MT/year. The plant complex is one of the largest of its kind in China. At the same time, the Group is currently building a new plant at Nanjing to produce polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) solid resins with an annual capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes. It is scheduled to come on stream in late 2013. Capital expenditures for both projects will amount to some €40 million. The dispersion-plant expansion is a response to the rising demand for high-quality VAE dispersions, especially in China and Southeast Asia’s emerging markets. The project goal is to ensure sufficient capacities for the strong demand for VINNAPAS VAE dispersions now and in the years ahead. As a result, the company will be able to offer its customers in the region consistently high product quality and supply security over the long term.   www.wacker.com