Wacker Starts Up New Plant Solid Resins for China's Chewing–Gum Industry

Wacker Chemie starts up its new production plant for food-grade polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) solid resins at its Nanjing site (Jiangsu province) in China today. The plant has an annual capacity of 20,000 metric tons and is certified to the highest food standards.

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Nanjing – Wacker Chemie inaugurated its new production plant for food-grade polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) solid resins at its Nanjing site (Jiangsu province) in China today. With an annual capacity of 20,000 metric tons, the plant is the largest of its kind in Asia and it is certified to the highest food standards, the company says.

PVAc solid resins find use in the manufacture of gumbase for chewing gum. With this investment, the Company intends to secure sufficient long-term capacity to meet the strong demand for PVAc solid resins and thus continue to offer its Asia-Pacific customers high supply security and product quality. The Group invested around €20 million in the expansion project. Wacker is thereby strengthening its position as the world’s leading manufacturer of PVAc solid resins for the chewing-gum industry.

“The new solid-resins plant in Nanjing is an important milestone for our continued growth in the region,” explained Auguste Willems, Wacker Chemie Executive Board member, at the opening ceremony. “Asia has become one of the biggest markets for chewing gum. Thanks to the new plant, we can keep pace with our customers’ strong demand for high-quality polyvinyl acetate solid resins in the region in the future – and are thus strengthening our position as the world’s leading manufacturer of solid resins for gumbase.

The Companies fully integrated Nanjing site is already producing vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer dispersions and dispersible polymer powders for the construction, coating, adhesive and other industries. By bundling its Chinese polymer activities at a single site, the company expects to gain decisive advantages and synergies, achieving economies of scale through a common infrastructure and energy supply. Additionally, it will be able to enhance transport and logistical efficiency and sustainability.

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