FEBURARY - MARCH - 20249CHEMICAL INDUSTRY REVIEWCan you tell us about the latest project that you have been working on, and what are some of the technological and process elements that you leveraged to make the project successful?Silicones are extremely flexible when it comes to different performance capabilities. One can get release or adhesion with silicones, increased hardness or flexibility, while maintaining good levels of viscosity and a lower need for solvents. All these modifications can provide a full toolbox for formulators.The possibilities are just as exciting as they are endless! And therefore, experimenting and adjusting the chemistry for different properties is what makes my role so enjoyable. The chemistry is adjusted, for example, if you need certain performance capabilities like the ability to withstand 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, SILRES REN 50 can be used. However, one can use SILRES REN 80, which has higher solids and can give the formulator the possibility of obtaining a formulation with lower VOC while keeping the temperature resistance performance at a very high level. There are other silicone resin products from our portfolio that can be used, and we enjoy working with our customers to provide the needed solutions.What are some of the technological trends that excite you for the future of the Industrial Coating Market space?Silicones provide a non-isocyanate cure, which can be friendlier in avoiding toxicity and long-term performance. Silicones react predictably too, so people are trying get away from isocyanates. In addition, Silicones have a good direction as a potential substitute. As a result, alternative reactions can help businesses deploy modified silicones with a wide range of applications. At the same time, using silicones as a part of the process creates longevity for coatings products.How can budding and evolving companies reach you for suggestions to streamline their business?Our available technical expertise is readily available to our customers. In trying to create solutions for the marketplace, each company has its own technology that it can modify and work with. Sometimes by cross-pollinating between chemistries, one can yield a unique proposal and solution. WACKER does this well through WACKER ACADEMY; by collaborating with companies, we can look into the details of different products and come up with innovative solutions in the end to the satisfaction of both parties. We then focus on finding the best way to scale this up with the customer's production. We see a benefit in partnering with companies and inviting anyone to reach out to us to help generate innovative solutions for their industry and application. With innovation, one can get release or adhesion with silicones, increased hardness or flexibility, while maintaining good levels of viscosity and a lower need for solvents
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