Wacker Chemie AG is expanding its production capacity in South Korea for vinyl acetateethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions. The Munich-based chemical group is constructing a new plant with an annual capacity of 40,000 metric tons at its site in Ulsan. This measure will almost double Ulsan’s VAE dispersion capacity, making the enlarged production complex one of the biggest of its kind in South Korea. Expected to start up in January 2013, the new plant will enable Wacker to meet accelerating demand for high-quality VAE dispersions, especially in South East Asia’s developing countries. Having budgeted around €10 million for the expansion project, Wacker is strengthening its position as one of the world’s major suppliers of VAE dispersions.

The group is constructing a second reactor line with an additional 40,000 metric tons of annual capacity for applications in the paints and coatings, construction, nonwoven, paper and carpet industries. According to the company, using the Ulsan site’s existing infrastructure will enable favorable manufacturing costs and lead to synergy effects in the areas of transportation and logistics. The expanded site in Ulsan will be one of the biggest of its kind in South Korea.