MUNICH/MOSCOW – WACKER, the Munich-based chemical group, has opened its new VINNAPAS® ACADEMY training and competence center in Moscow, Russia. The VINNAPAS ACADEMY serves as an international training center for construction-chemical topics and offers a platform for sector-specific networking between customers, sales partners and WACKER experts. At the same time, WACKER is expanding its Moscow technical center, which was set up five years ago. These two moves promote the transfer of expertise to WACKER’s local customers and business partners, thereby helping to further tap into the region’s fast-growing construction-polymer market.

 

Catering to Russian and CIS-specific construction-chemical needs, the training center’s seminar program gives customers and business partners an opportunity to learn all about VINNAPAS polymer powders and their applications. Courses range from basic information on polymer chemistry and formulation expertise relevant to dry-mix mortars, through to innovative applications such as exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) and self-leveling compounds.

 

The Moscow technical center began operating as a regional center of construction-polymer expertise five years ago. As a result of its expansion program, the center’s available floor space has now almost doubled. At the same time, new testing equipment, including a second EIFS test wall, has been commissioned. The new facility will test exterior insulation systems under extremely harsh climatic conditions. Aging and weathering processes are accelerated to ascertain a material’s stability and effectiveness. A climatic chamber can simulate a wide range of conditions, and tests fully comply with guidelines laid down by the European Organisation for Technical Approvals (EOTA).