Wacker Chemie : Opens New Competence Center for Cement and Concrete Applications in Shanghai

According to market experts, China is the world's largest producer and consumer of cement and concrete. However, due to high energy consumption as well as a strong call for environmentally-friendly products and carbon dioxide reduction, the huge cement and concrete industry is also facing a number of challenges. For example, cement and concrete products should become more durable and corrosion resistant.

'WACKER's new R&D lab in Shanghai will support our customers to cope with these challenges and to seize the market opportunities which have opened up,' says Paul Lindblad, president of WACKER Greater China. 'As a regional innovation platform focusing on cement and concrete, the new lab will cooperate with leading Chinese universities, research institutions and the industry. Its goal is to develop innovative products and solutions which support the sustainable development of the Chinese construction materials industry.'

At its new competence center in Shanghai, WACKER will be able to investigate, how silicone chemistry can effectively protect cement and concrete against environmental influences and at the same time improve the durability of these materials. For example, waterproofing technologies for cement and concrete are a hot topic in both academia and industry.