Germany-based global chemicals company Wacker Chemie AG is expanding its presence in Middle East and Africa (MEA) with the addition of two new laboratories in its “Dubai Silicon Oasis” (DSO) technology park.
The center of excellence located in the technical centre in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now includes a dedicated laboratory for polymer dispersions needed as binders for adhesives and carpet applications, as well as an ISO-certified laboratory for developing and testing silicone elastomers for growing industries such as energy and mould making.
Wacker’s Dubai technical centre now has five laboratories to support customers in the paints and coatings, construction, energy mould making, carpet and adhesives industries.
With the expansion, Wacker is increasing its local expertise in applications technology, know-how transfer and service, thereby meeting its local customers’ needs for high-quality silicone and polymer products in the strongly growing markets of the MEA region.
The region’s increasing growth potential, particularly with regard to carpet and energy applications, prompted the expansion of the local facility.
Cyril Cisinski, Managing Director Wacker Chemicals Middle East, noted that Wacker’s facility is the first in the region to offer both testing services and technical support for carpet manufacturers. It is also the first facility with an ISO-certified silicones lab for high-quality, energy and mould making applications.
“The expanded facility will strengthen our position as one of the leading silicones and polymers manufacturers in Middle East and Africa. With our extended lab facilities, we are adopting the international standard to local needs and conditions,” Cisinski added.
The focus of the new polymers lab is on providing technical support for formulations with vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions to meet the growing local demands of customers in the carpet and adhesives industries. VAE dispersions of the VINNAPAS brand are increasingly being used in place of traditional latexes as binders for bonding carpet backing, as well as for high-quality wood glue and water-based flooring adhesives.
The upgraded lab for silicones elastomers caters to the needs of customers of the energy, mould making and automotive industries. Due to their unique set of properties, silicone products are capable of meeting these industries’ ever more complex requirements better than other plastics.
Both new labs are equipped with cutting-edge instrumentation and enable numerous tests with regard to locally available raw materials, climatic and environmental conditions, and regional requirements. The silicones lab has further been certified according to the ISO 17025 standard.
Wacker set up its local subsidiary, Wacker Chemicals Middle East, in Dubai in 2000 and the technical centre in 2002.