ECS AND MECS 2019 - WACKER Presents New Polymer Product Line for Bitumen Coatings at Two Leading International Tradeshows

Munich, Feb 07, 2019

Munich-based chemical company WACKER is introducing its new VINNEVA^® product line at this year’s Middle East Coatings Show (MECS) and European Coatings Show (ECS). These polymer binders enhance the properties of bitumen-based building coatings and ensure that they adhere excellently to concrete, brick and cement. VINNEVA^® modified bitumen furthermore protects roofs and basements particularly well from the ingress of water. The 2019 Middle East Coatings Show will be held in Dubai from February 26 to 28. The 2019 European Coatings Show will be held in Nuremberg, Germany, from March 19 to 21.

Tensile adhesion strength test: polymer modification meant that the tensile adhesion strength rose by as much as 60 percent compared to conventional bitumen emulsions. (Photo: Wacker Chemie AG)

Polymers make bitumen emulsions more flexible and more resistant to all kinds of mechanical stress. WACKER has developed binders based on vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) copolymers specifically for this application and is presenting them under the VINNEVA^® trade name at the MECS and ECS 2019. Tests show that, thanks to the new binders, bitumen coatings adhere excellently to construction material – the tensile adhesion strength increases by up to 60 percent compared to conventional bitumen emulsions. Tensile adhesion strength is the force required to detach a coating from a substrate, in this case concrete.

Water-pressure tests have revealed another advantage of VINNEVA^® modified bitumen: when water presses onto a coated concrete slab at high pressure for a full day, VINNEVA^® modified bitumen forms a more effective barrier than, for example, bitumen emulsions modified with other additives.

Examining crack-bridging: when exposed to stress, the polymer-modified bitumen emulsion has to endure cracks in the concrete substrate. (Photo: Wacker Chemie AG)

VINNEVA^® polymers are moreover ideal for optimizing two-component systems, which are popular in Europe, in particular. These consist of a liquid component – a polymer-modified bitumen emulsion – and a powder-form component made of cement and fillers. These kinds of systems can be applied in particularly thick layers. The use of VINNEVA^® in the emulsion reduces these coatings’ tendency to form cracks.

The dispersion is added to a conventional bitumen emulsion. (Photo: Wacker Chemie AG)

The properties of polymer-modified bitumen emulsions largely depend on the origin of the petroleum that is used to make the bitumen. The additives that are used play a role as well. This is why, for its customers, WACKER individually selects its VINNEVA^® polymers to the bitumen composition and additives. Experts at WACKER’s global technical centers provide support here.

It is thus possible to formulate coatings that are superior to products based on other polymers with regard to key properties such as elasticity, elongation at break and watertightness.

VINNEVA^® polymers are not only based on petroleum, but also on natural gas. That’s why their price fluctuates less in the long term than that of other polymers used for bitumen modification. In addition, they do not contain chlorine.

The flexibility of a polymer-modified bitumen emulsion is tested at low temperatures in a climatic chamber at WACKER’s applications laboratory. (Photo: Wacker Chemie AG)

New at ECS 2019: The WACKER Forum

WACKER will be devoting a total of 240 square meters of floor space to solutions for paints, coatings, construction and adhesives applications at the 2019 European Coatings Show. More than 70 experts will be on hand at Booth 1-510 in Hall 1 to discuss the products and their applications with interested parties. Making a new appearance this year will be the WACKER Forum, right beside the main booth. Here, 15-minute presentations aimed at an international specialist audience will be held on technology, trends and innovations under the motto “Let’s talk about...” More information about the program of presentations at the WACKER Forum can be found at www.wacker.com/ECS2019 soon.

About WACKER POLYMERS

WACKER can look back at over 80 years’ experience in the manufacture of polymer binders. Today, WACKER is a leading producer of state-of-the-art binders and polymeric additives based on polyvinyl acetate and vinyl acetate copolymers. These take the form of dispersible polymer powders, dispersions, solid resins, and solutions. The products are used in construction chemicals, paints, surface coatings, adhesives and nonwovens, as well as in fiber composites and polymeric materials based on renewable resources. WACKER operates production sites for polymer binders in Germany, China, South Korea and the USA, as well as a global sales network and technical centers in all major regions.

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the flexibility of a polymer-modified bitumen emulsion is tested at low temperatures in a climatic chamber at WACKER’s applications laboratory.

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Tensile adhesion strength test: polymer modification meant that the tensile adhesion strength rose by as much as 60 percent compared to conventional bitumen emulsions.

Order photo