Among the
products
manufactured
in Jandira are
silicone fluids,
emulsion, resins
and rubbers
for a variety of
markets including
coatings,
construction and
automotive.
by Charles W. Thurston
Latin America Correspondent
thurstoncw@rodmanmedia.com
Wacker Química do Brasil recently named Adriano Magalhães as ex- ecutive director, taking the place of
Danilo Timich, with responsibility for South
America. Asked about his expectations for
growth, Magalhães told CW that, “Recently,
the economic environment in South America
became rather difficult, with lower growth rates
in many industry sectors. Still, Wacker was able
to maintain a strong position in selected mar-
kets, and we continue to grow albeit at a single-
digit rate in the region.”
Based in Sao Paulo, the company has de-
veloped its Wacker Academy in Brazil as its
technology and product center, with succes-
sive investments to enable the facility to serve
neighboring country markets. Magalhães com-
mented, “Over the last years, we have been in-
vesting in our local site and technical center at
Jandira in Brazil, near São Paulo, to continually
improve our yields and enhance the quality of
our products. Plus, we support our customers
and partners in developing new products and
applications adapted to the regional market
requirements and climatic and environmental
conditions. Our success in this approach proves
us right, as we were able to enter new market
segments and win new customers in spite of the
challenging environment.
Among the products manufactured in
Jandira are silicone fluids, emulsions, defoamers, resins and rubbers as well as several personal care products. Key markets for these
products are the construction, automotive,
coating, pulp and paper industry, the chemical
and the process industry, cosmetics and health
care as well as the power and the electro/elec-tronic industry.
Future product growth will be more di-
verse, Magalhães suggested: “Altogether, South
America remains a promising market for
Wacker. Demand is increasing for our high-
quality products, such as VAE (vinyl acetate
ethylene) dispersions, dispersible powders and
silicones, and we are further encouraged by the
regions’ potential in the long run. That’s why
we continue to invest in our local facilities to be
prepared for future growth.”
At the August Concrete Show South
America in Sao Paulo, the company touted its
new Vinnapas 5518 H, a dispersable hydropho-
bic powder used in fine skim coat plaster.
In October, at the annual Abrafati show,
Wacker introduced its Silres WH, a silicone resin emulsion for wood protection coatings that
possesses hydrophobic properties. The emulsion, when added to paint or stains, protects
wood outdoors against water and dampness.
Wacker also showed its new Geniosil XT line,
based on silane-modified polyether with a high
density of crosslinkable silyl groups. This line
and represents the first technically equivalent
alternative to conventional polyurethane-based
systems, the company claims. The new polymers are ideal for applications that repeatedly
subject them to dynamic forces, which up to
now required isocyanate-curing polymer systems, the company adds.
Other new products being marketed are in
the Vinnapas line, including 5518 H a dispersible polymer powder that exhibits great workability, good adhesion to all substrates, greater
flexibility and flexural strength. Another product in the line is VINNAPAS Dispersions for
Intumescent Coatings, which provide special
fire protection coatings which encase steel girders and swell (intumesce) in the event of a fire,
thus delaying the melting or warping of the
building’s supporting structure. CW
New Wacker Brasil Director Targets Growth
Wacker has been investing in its local site and technical
center at Jandira, Brazil.
