Wacker Chemie AG has officially started up a new reactor for vinyl acetate-ethylene co-polymer (VAE) dispersions at its Calvert City site in Kentucky, USA. By expanding its capacities, WACKER is meeting global demand for its dispersions and dispersible powders which is rising amid such world trends as urbanization, renovation and environmental consideration. As a result, WACKER is now well positioned to offer its customers in the region consistently high product quality and supply security over the long term. Having invested around €50 million in the site’s capacity and infrastruc-ture, WACKER is strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of VAE-based dispersions and dispersible powders.

“Our production complex in Calvert City is the largest of its kind out-side of Europe, supporting our successful, customer-focused global growth strategy”, explained Rudolf Staudigl, CEO of Wacker Chemie AG. “Demand for our high-quality VAE products continues to increase, especially for formulating low-emission, eco-friendly prod-ucts. The additional capacity allows us to continue to meet our cus-tomers’ needs reliably over the coming years, solidifying our leading global market position”, Staudigl said.

WACKER has been producing dispersions and dispersible polymer powders in Calvert City since 1998. The new reactor in Calvert City with an annual capacity of 85,000 metric tons further underlines WACKER’s position as a global technology and market leader in the field of VAE-based dispersions marketed under the VINNAPAS® brand. VINNAPAS® dispersions are popular binders in the construc-tion, paints, coatings and adhesives industries. They find application, for instance, in the formulation of low-odor and low-emission indoor paints, but also in plasters, technical textiles and nonwovens or car-pet applications.