IN line with its slogan “creating tomorrow’s solutions”, German manufacturer of innovative chemical solutions for the construction industry – Wacker – continues to develop new applications and systems to meet the constantly changing needs and trends in the different markets, says Patrick de Wolf, head of the Wacker Technical Center in Dubai.
To fully support its global business strategy, the company has placed footprint investments by creating specialised technical centres to serve the key regions around the world – aiming to get closer to its customers and their respective market environment.
Wacker set up its first sales office in the Middle East in 2000. Located in Jebel Ali Free Zone, the company’s Middle East office serves the entire Arab world as well as India, Pakistan, Iran and Africa.
Covering an area of over 350 sq m, the Dubai Technical Center is a unique laboratory for testing construction materials, focusing on the different applications of dry mix mortars.
Modern equipment, such as a fully-computerised compressive and flexural strength tester, a computerised tensile adhesion-strength tester and abrasion-resistance testing equipment, allows testing according to international codes and standards such as ISO, EN (DIN) and ASTM, says Wolf.
Being the first and only equipped technical centre specialised in dry mix mortars technology in the region, Wacker Chemicals Middle East has been in close contact with Dubai Municipality in its continuous development.
The centre provides technical services for the use of Wacker’s Vinnapas redispersible powders in the production of dry mix mortar. It gives technical advice and training to producers of dry mix mortars in the related areas of application.
A team of highly-trained specialists provides solutions to problems customers face, offering formulations for new applications and materials suitable for the needs, style and climatic conditions in different countries.
Scientific and technical support
“It has always been the trend at Wacker to look beyond the horizon, searching for new opportunities and challenges,” says Wolf. “One of the biggest missions of the Middle East office is to increase quality awareness in the region by educating the market and providing scientific as well as technical support to the different parties involved in the construction process,” says Wolf.
“It was for this reason that the company signed a research partnership with the American University of Sharjah in the UAE earlier this year. The partnership will seek to provide a closer collaboration in the testing and application of innovative building materials. By entering into the partnership, Wacker is giving support to independent research institutes such as the Institute of Materials Systems (IMS), whose task is to improve product quality and building-materials processing and to adapt these to regional requirements,” he says. “As a leading global supplier of redispersible powders, we can provide invaluable information on how to formulate and process high quality dry-mortar systems.”
Vinnapas redispersible powders
Wacker started the production of polymer redispersible powders under the brand name of Vinnapas in 1957. Today, the company is the world’s leading manufacturer of redispersible powders for the modification of cementitious mortar systems.
Vinnapas redispersible powders are high-quality binders for modifying dry mix mortars. Key applications for redispersible powders are tile adhesives, jointing grouts, mineral plasters, sealing slurries, gypsum, repair mortars, exterior insulation and finishing systems (EIFS), self-levelling compounds and powder paints.
Mortars modified with Vinnapas are characterised by outstanding adhesion to all substrates, excellent cohesion and flexural strength, very good water repellency and abrasion resistance. The product makes it possible to formulate a one-pack dry mix mortar, which is easy to handle, safe in application and, as a highly efficient process, less expensive. Wacker offers a wide range of Vinnapas redispersible powders, creating innovative product ideas and customised market solutions for the dry mix mortar industry.
Wacker’s Vinnapas redispersible powders are used in EIFS, which have found wide application in Europe and Asia. These systems have been modified to meet the harsh climate conditions and also to effectively insulate buildings against the hot weather prevalent in the Middle East and the Gulf region,” says Wolf.
With insulation of residential as well as commercial buildings having been made mandatory by the Dubai Municipality two years ago, EIFS can play a wider role in conserving energy in the UAE, he adds.
Elaborating on this thermal insulation system, Wolf says: “The EIFS is a composite thermal insulation and finishing system with special characteristics and high thermal insulation capability, which helps cut down energy used for air-conditioning thereby resulting in energy savings of up to 40 per cent. The special cement-based adhesives and plastering materials for EIFS have been developed based on Vinnapas redispersible powders. Apart from the very good adhesion on the substrate and on the polystyrene insulation panels, the use of different grades of the redispersible powders also helps achieve special properties and effects such as high flexibility, deformability, slip resistance and water repellency.
“In most cases, EIFS is based on expanded polystyrene panels, which are fixed to the walls with a polymer-modified cement-based adhesive. On top of the polystyrene panels, a 3 to 4 mm-thick polymer modified plaster (base coat) is applied, embedding a special reinforcing fibre mesh. Finally, a finishing layer is applied to give a decorative surface.
“Several tests for the different components of the EIFS as well as for the system as a whole are being carried out at Wacker’s local Technical Center in Dubai using highly specialised equipment and based on European Standards (EOTA - ETAG 004).”
The technical centre has enabled Wacker Chemicals Middle East to increase the support for its customers in the entire Gulf region as well as in India, Pakistan, Iran and Africa, providing local technical assistance and customised solutions for new applications and materials in the construction sector.
Wacker is a globally operating chemical company headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its portfolio focuses mainly on semiconductor technology, silicone chemistry, fine chemicals and biotechnology. In line with these core fields of expertise, the company’s diverse activities are organised within independently operating divisions: Siltronic, Wacker Silicones, Wacker Specialties and Wacker Polysilicon.
“Wacker’s business strategy is aimed towards long-term profitable growth and, in turn, to securing a sustained increase in corporate value. Through expansion, particularly in Asia’s fast-growing markets, Wacker has strengthened its global presence in terms of production in the world’s economically important regions. Due to its global presence with more than 100 subsidiaries and sales offices together with 22 production sites and 10 technical centres around the world, the company is able to work closely with its customers in all key markets.
Wacker Specialties
“Wacker Specialties is the technology leader for the production and development of high-quality binders and polymer additives for coatings and construction applications. It is also a customised-solutions expert in fine chemicals and biotechnology. Wacker Specialties has production sites in Germany and the US as well as a global sales organisation and technical centres in all key regions. The business division marked sales of 499 million euros ($636. 5 million) in 2003,” he concludes.
