WACKER’s Podcast Center

Waterproofing membranes are indispensable in protecting the building fabric against damp. But until now, it was not possible to use a toothed applicator to apply them, the tool of choice among workman in this country. The mass simply wasn’t firm enough, and the ridges merged. That’s why WACKER developed the polymer VINNAPAS® 7150 E, which solved the problem

The architecture of the Olympic venue in Munich is in a class of its own. What few people know is that the builings were among the first to have a polymer-modified mortar blended in with their concete. Polymers like VAE from WACKER make concrete more flexible and improve its adhesion.

Chewing gum in the shape of a heart? We can do that! Until now, however, chewing gum has undergone an elaborate mixing process using gum base, which limits the variety of shapes. Now that’s all going to change: With CAPIVA^® C03, WACKER has developed a new gum base that melts completely so that the popular confectionery can now also be molded - into any shape. Manufacturers also have an advantage: Their equipment can be easily cleaned after production.

Terrazzo flooring looks well - but not for long. Coffee and chewing gum render it unsightly with time. A protective coating based on a silane-modified polymer from WACKER has come to the rescue. Only one component needs to be applied – entirely without solvents. And the floor can be walked on after 48 hours. Experts have demonstrated this on several buildings around the world. Among them Budapest’s Western train station, built by Gustave Eiffel.

In many countries around the globe, washing is still done by hand. People believe it ought to foam properly – because that’s supposed to be a sign of effective cleaning. Yet this foaming is a problem, since after washing, laundry has to be rinsed out many times until all of the foam disappears. This is why researchers at WACKER have developed a defoaming agent that only begins to take effect during rinsing, halving the amount of water used.