Wacker opens PVAc production plant in Nanjing

With an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes of PVAc solid resins, which is used in the manufacture of gumbase for chewing gum, the plant is the largest of its kind in Asia. Wacker invested around €20m (US$21.6m) in the expansion project.

“The new solid-resins plant in Nanjing is an important milestone for our continued growth in the region​,” said Auguste Willems, Wacker an executive board member. 

“Asia has become one of the biggest markets for chewing gum. Thanks to the new plant, we can keep pace with our customers’ strong demand for high-quality polyvinyl acetate solid resins in the region in the future—and are thus strengthening our position as the world’s leading manufacturer of solid resins for gumbase​.”

To achieve economies of scale, Wacker has bundled together its Chinese polymer activities at a single Nanjing site that already produces vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer dispersions and dispersible polymer powders for the construction, coating, adhesive and other industries. 

The company has been a leading supplier of food-grade polyvinyl acetate solid resins for over 50 years, with manufacturing taking place in Germany and China. 

The products can be found on the chewing-gum market under the trademarks Vinnapas and Capiva.