International. Wacker Biosolutions, the life sciences and biotechnology division of the Wacker Group, is strengthening its integrated cetene production at its Burghausen plant in Germany. The Munich-based chemical company is building another reactor for the manufacture of isopropenyl acetate (IPA) with an annual capacity of 2,500 metric tons.
IPA is an important starting material for acetylacetone (AcAc), which is used in numerous applications, extending from life science products to construction and automotive applications. Capital expenditures of almost €2 million are budgeted for capacity increase.
Completion of the plant is scheduled for the second half of 2017. In addition, Wacker is taking over the sales and distribution of the fine chemical calcium acetylacetonate from Acetonate GmbH from April. This AcAc derivative will complete the existing integrated cetene production system in Burghausen.
The new plant is a key addition to the supply chain at the Burghausen headquarters. In the integrated production system, acetic acid is converted first into cetene, then into isopropenyl acetate and finally into acetylaacetone. Both IPA and AcAc serve as building blocks for synthesis in numerous industry branches, from pharmaceutical active ingredients to specialty automotive coatings. In addition, AcAc is a starting material for other products in the company's portfolio.
