TAGS: Sealants
The WACKER chemical group receives REDcert2 certification for resource-efficient manufacturing method for silicone sealants. The certification is approved by technology service provider TÜV Nord.
Determining Mass Fraction of Raw Materials
WACKER’s approach involves determining the mass fraction of raw materials and auxiliaries derived from fossil-based resources and offsetting this with methanol produced from biomass. The mass method allows the company to produce organic components of its sealants on the basis of plant-based materials instead of raw materials derived from petrochemicals.
Silicone sealants are one-part formulations with low-module available in a variety of crosslinking systems. In the construction industry, they are used in connection and expansion joints, in kitchen and bathroom projects and in other specialty applications.
Sealing Compounds Based on Non-fossil Raw Materials
TÜV Nord certification to WACKER’s production of silicone sealing compounds meets the requirements of the new REDcert
² standard. This standard covers not only all the organic raw materials for silicone manufacturing – it also encompasses all the other organic components of the formulation.
The certification serves as verification that WACKER’s silicone sealing compounds are 100 percent free of fossil raw materials. To qualify, purchased raw materials must have been sustainably manufactured from biomass, and all the required starting materials must have been obtained from certified sustainable sources. The volumes of raw materials needed for product manufacturing undergo regular audits as part of an annual recertification process.
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Ecological and sustainable construction plays a key part in global efforts to protect the climate,” said Dr. Robert Gnann, president of the WACKER SILICONES business division. “
Successful certification of our mass balance method makes us the first company to supply ready-to-use sealing compounds based on non-fossil raw materials. That’s good news for our customers, who can likewise declare that the biomethanol-based sealants they purchase from us preserve natural resources and contain no fossil raw materials.”
According to Laurent Morineaux, head of the company’s Construction Silicones business unit, the new certificate underpins WACKER’s ongoing and strong commitment to sustainability. “
Sealants are among the most high-volume silicone products in our portfolio”, he said. “
Introducing products entirely based on biomethanol does more than just make our portfolio more sustainable. We are also making a substantial contribution toward greater sustainability in the construction industry, and that benefits our customers as well
Source: WACKER