WACKER EXPANDS PRODUCTION OF DISPERSIBLE POLYMER POWDERS AT BURGHAUSEN

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ots-CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc.
The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WACKER, the Munich-based chemical company, is constructing a new
plant to expand its production capacity for dispersible polymer
powders by another 30,000 metric tons per year. Designed to offer
world-class technology and capacity levels, the new plant is
scheduled to start operations in 2007. The capacity expansion will
enable WACKER to meet increasing global demand for high-quality
polymeric binders for the construction sector. The investment
project’s goal is to secure sufficient, long-term VINNAPAS® polymer
powder capacity and to assure customers of consistently high delivery
reliability and product quality for the future. Today, WACKER ranks
among the world’s largest producers of dispersible polymer powders.

"Production increases are vital for sustainably meeting the market
growth rates forecast by so many experts," explains Arno von der
Eltz, head of WACKER POLYMERS. "That’s why a new powder spray dryer
came on stream at Zhangjiagang (China) last year. The expansion
project now planned will enable us to supply the quantities needed by
customers in the future, especially by our European cus-tomers. It
will also reinforce our strong position in the polymer-powder
market."

WACKER POLYMERS has been producing polymer powders and dispersions
for the construction industry for almost 50 years. VINNAPAS® polymer
powders are thermoplastic polymers derived primarily from vinyl
acetate and ethylene. They serve as film-forming binders in numerous
applications, including tile adhesives, joint fillers, mineral
plasters, sealing slurries, gypsum, repair mortars, self-leveling
flooring compounds and powder paints. They enhance important
properties in the end product, such as adhesion, cohesion,
flexibility and flexural strength. Water retentivity, processing
properties and weatherability also benefit from VINNAPAS®.

With production facilities in Europe, the USA and Asia, WACKER
POLYMERS has a global presence in key industrial centers. As a
result, WACKER POLYMERS can work closely with customers in their
local markets. Customer proximity is enhanced by seven WACKER
POLYMERS technical centers in Burghausen (Germany), Moscow (Russia),
Jandira (Brazil), Adrian (USA), Shanghai (China), Dubai (UAE) and
Melbourne (Australia; the most recent addition). The state-of-the-art
centers provide applications-engineering ser-vices and individual
customer support. Their activities ideally com-plement WACKER
POLYMERS’ global production operations. At its centers, WACKER
researches country-specific construction applica-tions and tests
locally-used raw materials. It also plays an important role in the
formulation of construction-sector standards and guidelines, working
closely with universities, scientific institutes, standardization
bodies and the authorities. The opening of additional technical
centers in Southeast Asia is scheduled for this year.

About WACKER POLYMERS WACKER POLYMERS is a world leader in the
production of high-quality binders and polymer additives. Its product
portfolio extends from construction chemicals and functional polymers
for surface coatings through paints and other industrial applications
to base chemicals (acetyls). Dispersible polymer powders,
dispersions, solid resins, powder binders and surface coating resins
from WACKER POLYMERS are used by the construction, automotive, paper
and adhesives industries, as well as by manufacturers of printing
inks and industrial coatings. WACKER POLYMERS has production sites in
Germany, the USA and China, as well as a global sales network and
technology centers in all major regions.

end of announcement euro adhoc 16.05.2006 08:54:28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ots Originaltext: Wacker Chemie AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:
Nadine Baumgartl
+49 (0)89 6279 1604
nadine.baumgartl@wacker.com

Branche: Chemicals
ISIN: DE000WCH8881
WKN: WCH888
Index: CDAX
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / official dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin-Bremen / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade