VINNAPAS

The Academy for Ideal Binders

The Burghausen-based VINNAPAS^® ACADEMY was founded in early 2007 to derive maximum benefit from one of the most important resources of our age: knowledge. How does liquid become powder? What is the function of a binder in a tile adhesive? How do dispersible polymer powders help cut heating costs?

VINNAPAS^® ACADEMY instructors answer these and other questions almost every day. “All seminar content is tailored to the needs of the construction-chemicals industry and supplemented with examples and problems taken from around the globe,” says Sabine Pangerl, explaining the VINNAPAS^® ACADEMY approach.

: WACKER’s VINNAPAS

What’s more, collaboration with universities and institutes ensures that the seminars are always at the cutting edge of science. Courses are held by experienced experts:

in Burghausen alone, there are four instructors working for VINNAPAS^® ACADEMY. The academy classrooms are situated in immediate proximity to the VINNAPAS^® production plant and laboratories – which provides opportunities to take a look behind the scenes.

Some 500 external construction experts from around the world have attended seminars in Burghausen since 2007: “We’ve had lab employees and engineers from Poland, the USA and Morocco, technicians and chemists from Brazil and Argentina, and even one person from Azerbaijan,” recalls Pangerl.

: A sophisticated technology such as Smartfresh

Ever-Rising Demand for Qualifications

High demand has enabled WACKER to export VINNAPAS^® ACADEMY abroad. For instance, a Chinese offshoot of the training & competence center was opened in Beijing in September 2007, followed by the launch of Moscow’s VINNAPAS^® ACADEMY in October 2008.

Dubai is planned as a further venue. VINNAPAS^® ACADEMY branches will soon be set up at technical centers to enable construction experts to attend seminars in their local area.

: Dr. Max Ivanovits, a WACKER chemist, came up with dispersible polymer powder in 1953, drawing inspiration from instant coffee.

Usually lasting several days, courses are divided into theoretical and practical parts. After an introductory session, participants can gain experience in mixing cement, sand, dispersible polymer powders and additives. How does a tile adhesive behave with and without VINNAPAS^®?

What is the best mixture for a specific substrate? Two experienced instructors are there to help. They also explain the diverse test methods and equipment used in WACKER POLYMERS labs.

More information

Listen to the related podcast episode in June at www.wacker.com/podcast

Inspired by Instant Coffee

WACKER’s dispersible polymer powders have been a firm feature of the modern construction sector for over 50 years. Dr. Max Ivanovits, a WACKER chemist, came up with this innovative product in 1953, drawing inspiration from instant coffee.

In a lab experiment, he built a miniature rig for spray-drying liquids in order to convert dispersions into dispersible powders. As binders, VINNAPAS^® polymer powders now enhance plasters, mortars and tile adhesives in a wide variety of applications. VINNAPAS^® gives modern tile adhesives their flexibility and bonding strength.

It imparts hydrophobic (i.e. water-repellent) properties to mineral plasters and grouts for outdoor use, or to sealing slurries. And some of its properties have led to the development of completely new construction materials and processes – such as self-leveling compounds.

Ethylene and its Opponent

The VINNAPAS^® ACADEMY seminar program covers the main building blocks underlying the success of VINNAPAS^®. The focus is on technical topics such as the basics of polymer chemistry and formulation expertise.

Introductory and advanced seminars are complemented by tailored courses on, for example, “Energy Saving with Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS).” Other divisions, such as WACKER SILICONES, already contribute to our training program, which we plan to expand further. Business-management fundamentals and the effective use of eBusiness tools round out the curriculum.

Mainly aimed at WACKER customers and strategic partners, the program is tailored to the specific needs of the construction-chemical sector.