FOCUS ON: Wacker Opens New Technical Center in U.S.

Technical center located at company’s new U.S. headquarters in Allentown, PA.

Alongside research and applications labs, WACKER POLYMERS’ new U.S. headquarters houses sales, marketing, customer service, and administrative functions.

Wacker Chemie AG inaugurated its new technical center in Allentown, PA, on Oct. 22, 2009. Equipped with lab facilities, the center develops and tests polymer products primarily for applications in the construction, adhesive, engineered fabrics, and architectural coating industries. Through its new addition, the Munich, Germany-based chemical company is promoting international quality standards and the exchange of expertise with regional customers and partners.

The technical center is located at WACKER POLYMERS’ new U.S. headquarters, which also opened on Oct. 22 following 12 months of construction. Alongside research and applications labs, the 6,200-square-foot headquarters building houses sales, marketing, customer service, and administrative functions.

The move to Allentown is considered a major milestone in WACKER’s integration of its two former joint ventures, Air Products Polymers and Wacker Polymer Systems. WACKER acquired full ownership of these companies in 2008.

“We’ve consolidated all our North American functions under one roof at our new U.S. headquarters,” said Arno von der Eltz, president of WACKER POLYMERS. “The move will streamline coordination and enhance operational efficiency. Another key advantage is the technical center’s proximity to our sales function. This will broaden cooperation between product development and sales teams, enabling us to optimize customer support.”

Von der Eltz added that there are imminent plants to establish an Allentown training center, offering application-related seminars to construction customers. The company already operates WACKER Academy locations in Germany, Russia, China and India with training programs that range from basic information on polymer chemistry to formulation expertise in dry-mix mortars to innovative applications like exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) and self-leveling compounds. Seminars are conducted by WACKER experts, local construction industry specialists and university lecturers.

WACKER operates 19 technical centers around the globe, each providing the applied technology services that customers need for growth. WACKER experts assist customers in the development of advanced solutions tailored to their respective regions. This assistance includes conducting research on country-specific construction applications, testing local materials and offering advice on construction-chemical questions.

About WACKER

WACKER POLYMERS is a leading producer of state-of-the-art binders and polymer additives in the form of dispersible powders and dispersions, polyvinyl acetates, surface coating resins, and polyvinyl alcohol solutions. These products are found in the construction chemicals, binders, printing inks, surface coatings, paper and automotive sectors. In 2008, WACKER POLYMERS generated sales of $868 million, accounting for 20% of WACKER Group sales.

For more information, visit www.wacker.com.

SIDEBAR: WACKER Academy

WACKER Academy courses at the new Allentown, PA, technical center will range from polymer-chemistry basics and formulation expertise to modern exterior and insulation finish systems for energy-efficient facades, with customized seminars available for specific customer needs. Usually spanning several days, courses are divided into theoretical and practical parts. After an introductory session, attendees are invited to experience the mixing of cement, sand, dispersible polymer powders and additives. Participants also learn how a tile adhesive behaves with or without dispersible powders, while gaining a working knowledge of the best mixtures for particular substrates. In addition, WACKER experts explain the diverse test methods and equipment used in the technical center’s labs. Collaboration with universities and institutes ensures that WACKER Academy seminars are always at the cutting edge of science.