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Wacker opens Chinese PVAc plant

3 Apr 2015

Wacker Chemie has inaugurated its new production plant for food-grade polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) solid resins at its Nanjing site (Jiangsu province) in China. With an annual capacity of 20,000 metric tons, the plant is said to be the largest of its kind in Asia and certified to the highest food standards. PVAc solid resins find […]

Wacker opens Chinese PVAc plant

china-flag-5085868Wacker Chemie has inaugurated its new production plant for food-grade polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) solid resins at its Nanjing site (Jiangsu province) in China. With an annual capacity of 20,000 metric tons, the plant is said to be the largest of its kind in Asia and certified to the highest food standards. PVAc solid resins find use in the manufacture of gumbase for chewing gum. With this investment, Wacker said it intends to secure sufficient long-term capacity to meet the strong demand for PVAc solid resins and thus continue to offer its Asia-Pacific customers high supply security and product quality. The group invested around €20 million in the expansion project.

“The new solid-resins plant in Nanjing is an important milestone for our continued growth in the region,” said Auguste Willems, Wacker Chemie Executive Board member. “Asia has become one of the biggest markets for chewing gum. Thanks to the new plant, we can keep pace with our customers’ strong demand for high-quality polyvinyl acetate solid resins in the region in the future – and are thus strengthening our position as the world’s leading manufacturer of solid resins for gumbase.”

Wacker’s fully integrated Nanjing site is already producing vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer dispersions and dispersible polymer powders for the construction, coating, adhesive and other industries. By bundling its Chinese polymer activities at a single site, the company said it expects to gain decisive advantages and synergies, achieving economies of scale through a common infrastructure and energy supply. Additionally, it will be able to enhance transport and logistical efficiency and sustainability.

Wacker manufactures food-grade polyvinyl acetate in Germany and China. Its products can be found on the chewing-gum market under the trademarks Vinnapass and Capiva.