Wacker - The Fascination Of Chemistry

Skyscrapers are often built on a steel framework. However, because steel can loose its stability at certain levels of heat, additional fire protection is needed for this kind of structure. Intumescent coatings based on WACKER’s VAE copolymer dispersions can protect the steel framework against fire.

Stone flooring is attractive, but can be chilly underfoot. Cork flooring feels warm to the feet, but is less durable. Now there is a new type of floor covering that combines the advantages of both materials. The crucial difference in its manufacture is VINNEX powder binders from WACKER.

Packaging made of corrugated cardboard can be found everywhere in the foodstuff industry. That’s a good enough reason to take a closer look at how corrugated cardboard adhesive is manufactured. VINNAPAS XD 05 from WACKER is an ideal starting material for formulating this kind of adhesive.

Electricity generated from sun and wind is fed into the grid usually via underground or undersea cables. These are complicated and expensive to lay. For this reason, the cables need to work perfectly for decades on end. Electrically-conducting silicone elastomers from the POWERSIL product line play a key role here.

Tens of thousands of vehicles pass through the Gotthard road tunnel every day. In winter, they splash a large amount of water and road salts onto the tunnel walls. In a single night, the tunnel was treated with special water-repellent silanes from WACKER to prevent the salt water from penetrating into the concrete and damaging [...]

If you’ve ever done a presentation with an overhead projector, you will have come into contact with a Fresnel lens. What this is, why such lenses have potential to significantly improve solar technology, and what this has got to do with WACKER, will be revealed in this episode of our podcast.

Retinol is the parent compound of vitamin A and a key active ingredient in anti-aging preparations. For it to develop its full effect, it must be protected from external influences. Listen to this episode and find out how WACKER’s cyclodextrins “smuggle” the precious but sensitive substance safely under the surface of the skin.

Modern LEDs still pose significant challenges for researchers. But investment in development pays off, for the little lamps are significantly more efficient and have a much longer life than today’s energy-saving lamps. Listen and find out how a silicone produced by WACKER can help to reduce future energy requirements still further.

Glass is not only a material used to produce windows and containers – it is also a substance for creating artwork. For centuries, artistic glasswork has decorated homes and been transformed into works of art. The chemical processes necessary to create this rainbow of colored glass, and the production processes employed to produce this high-quality [...]

When groundwater began seeping into Stetten’s salt mine, normal concrete couldn’t stop the flow. WACKER used this incident as an opportunity to test a newly-developed form of shotcrete. Hear our interview with Klaus Bonin, who heads one of WACKER’s research and development labs.

Even in the world of art, you’ll find WACKER products in use. Find out how WACKER’s silicone moldmaking compounds were used to reconstruct twelve busts of Roman emperors. Listen to our talk with sculptress Anke Oltscher.

The VINNAPAS ACADEMY seminar program offers polymer chemistry basics and key formulation expertise to construction experts from around the world.

Thermal insulation has become a hot topic in Syria. In fact, this Arab country has carried out its first EIFS project. We discuss this topic with Dimitrios Moussios, business development manager at Wacker Chemicals Middle East in Dubai.

Sealants must fulfill many requirements. In this episode, we’ll explore silicone sealants and see how WACKER innovations make the introduction of new products possible.

Bonding is becoming an ever more attractive way of connecting objects. Increasingly, items are being bonded instead of being screwed, riveted or welded. In this episode, you’ll learn more about the fascinating history of adhesives and what the future holds for them.

This plaster can be found on virtually any wall, though you usually only notice it when it flakes off. Today’s plaster must meet a wide range of demands, which is why WACKER is busy researching in this field. Tune in to find out how!

Out of sight, out of mind. That’s how a lot of people see sewage and wastewater. This episode therefore focuses on sewage systems, a key invention, and the potential problems sewer maintenance involves and how to solve them.

Global warming is influencing the construction sector – and vice versa. We discuss this topic with Dr. Andreas Gerdes, professor of Construction Chemicals and hear about ways to conserve resources during construction and how this sector is changing due to global warming.

There are strict limits on electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by cellphones. Various test models exist to precisely determine whether these limits are being complied with. In this episode, you’ll learn about the advances made here – and how silicone from WACKER is used in doing so.

This first episode is about artworks that are millions of years old. Listen to how Professor Dolf Seilacher creates works of art from the traces of long-extinct animals. His creations bedazzle art enthusiasts. Plus, you can learn about WACKER’s role in Paleoichnology, e.g. the study of trace fossils.