Wacker extends partnerships for pyrogenic silica distribution

ERJ staff report (TP)

Munich, Germany – Wacker has extended its distribution partnerships with the Dutch chemical distributor IMCD and the German NRC Group for its HDK pyrogenic silica products in Germany.

Effective 1 August, the IMCD-Group-affiliated chemical distributor IMCD Germany and the Georg Nordmann Holding AG’s affiliated Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH will replace previous distribution partner Brenntag Germany.

IMCD already is a Wacker partner for several market segments in Western and Eastern Europe as well as in South Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand. Effective 1 August, IMCD will extend its current Wacker product portfolio to include HDK pyrogenic silica products in Germany for personal care, nutrition, plastics, sealants, adhesives, and silicone elastomer applications.

Wacker will also extend its partnership with current distributor Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH. The Hamburg-based company already distributes silicone products, including HDK pyrogenic silica, for coatings in Germany. Effective 1 August, Nordmann, Rassmann will be able to widen its German portfolio for pharmaceutical applications. In addition to silicones, the company will also supply HDK pyrogenic silica to the pharma industry in Germany.

Pyrogenic silica, also known as fumed silica, because “it is produced in a flame, consists of microscopic droplets of amorphous silica fused into branched, chainlike, three-dimensional secondary particles which then agglomerate into tertiary particles”.

Pyrogenic silica serves as “a universal thickening agent and an anticaking agent (free-flow agent) in powders”. It can be used as “a filler in silicone elastomer and viscosity adjustment in paints, coatings, printing inks, adhesives and unsaturated polyester resins”.