MUNICH, Germany/SEOUL, South Korea - Wacker Chemie AG is expanding its production capacity in South Korea for vinyl acetateethylene copolymer (VAE) dispersions. The Munich-based chemical group is constructing a new plant with an annual capacity of 40,000 metric tons at its site in Ulsan. The measure will almost double Ulsan’s VAE dispersion capacity, making the enlarged production complex one of the biggest of its kind in South Korea.

Expected to start up in January 2013, the new plant will enable WACKER to meet accelerating demand for high-quality VAE dispersions, especially in Southeast Asia’s developing countries.

Having budgeted around EUR 10 million for the expansion project, WACKER is strengthening its position as one of the world’s major suppliers of VAE dispersions.

WACKER already produces vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer dispersions marketed under its VINNAPAS^® brand at Ulsan for use as binders in the adhesives industry. Now, the group is constructing a second reactor line with an additional 40,000 metric tons of annual capacity for applications in the coatings, construction, nonwoven, paper and carpet industries.