WACKER has expanded the service portfolio at its technical center in Mexico City, Mexico. The local facility now comprises state-of-the-art applications technology and test equipment for polymer dispersions needed as binders for architectural coatings and adhesives. The expansion not only enables WACKER to help its local customers develop new and tailor-made products for the region. It also encourages the exchange of know-how and promotes internationally recognized quality standards in Latin America.

The expansion has focused on vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions used as binders for low-odor indoor paints, durable outdoor coatings and sustainable water-borne adhesives. This measure will help WACKER to further bolster its position as a globally leading producer and supplier of VAE dispersions.

“Latin America is a promising market for WACKER. Demand is increasing steadily for our high-quality dispersions. Our sales in the region have grown significantly over the recent years and we are encouraged by the regions’ potential. This new facility will help foster the development of our products and support the needs of our local customers”, explained John Fotheringham, vice president of Dispersions at WACKER POLYMERS.

The enhanced technical center will now also support customers in the paints, coatings and adhesives sectors to develop new products and applications for the regional markets with regard to locally available raw materials, climatic and environmental conditions, and regional requirements. The new labs are equipped with cutting-edge instrumentation meeting international standards: Test are ranging from optical and rheological property measurements of VAE-enhanced paints such as gloss, reflectance, viscosity or sag resistance to physical qualities of paints and adhesives like density, solids content or thermal stability. Additionally, the technical center has installed a new UV chamber to analyze color fading and weathering behavior of polymer-modified exterior coatings.

“Our aim is to support our local customers by realizing their individual requirements directly on the spot, and to develop and test innovative VAE binder applications together with them”, said Alfonso Valcarce, head of Wacker Mexicana. “Our technical center here in Mexico City is highly equipped and we are setting new standards in service, advice and transfer of expertise, offering our customers and business partners considerable added value.”

WACKER is thus helping to ensure and expand the availability of high-quality VAE binders in Latin America. Moreover, WACKER’s local experts are assisting to formulate quality standards as well as to introduce environmentally friendly technologies in the region.