Waterproofing membranes are indispensable in protecting the building fabric against damp. But until now, it was not possible to use a toothed applicator to apply them, the tool of choice among workman in this country. The mass simply wasnrsquo;t firm enough, and the ridges merged. Thatrsquo;s why WACKER developed the polymer VINNAPASreg; 7150 E, which solved the problem. Not only does it comply with the standard for crack-bridging, it is also very low in emissions.

The architecture of the Olympic venues in Munich is in a class of its own. What few people know is that the buildings were among the first to have a polymer-modified mortar blended in with their concrete. Polymers like VAE from WACKER make concrete more flexible and improve its adhesion. The ability to mix them into the mortar in dry form was new at the time and ultimately opened the door to the thin-bed method for laying tiles. The concrete structures in Munich are still standing.

Chewing gum in the shape of a heart? We can do that! Until now, however, chewing gum has undergone an elaborate mixing process using gum base, which limits the variety of shapes. Now thatrsquo;s all going to change: With CAPIVA C03, WACKER has developed a new gum base that melts completely so that the popular confectionery can now also be molded - into any shape. Manufacturers also have an advantage: Their equipment can be easily cleaned after production.

Terrazzo flooring looks well - but not for long. Coffee and chewing gum render it unsightly with time. A protective coating based on a silane-modified polymer from WACKER has come to the rescue. Only one component needs to be applied ndash; entirely without solvents. And the floor can be walked on after 48 hours. Experts have demonstrated this on several buildings around the world. Among them Budapestrsquo;s Western train station, built by Gustave Eiffel.

In many countries around the globe, washing is still done by hand. People believe it ought to foam properly ndash; because thatrsquo;s supposed to be a sign of effective cleaning. Yet this foaming is a problem, since after washing, laundry has to be rinsed out many times until all of the foam disappears. This is why researchers at WACKER have developed a defoaming agent that only begins to take effect during rinsing, halving the amount of water used.

Insect bites are painful and itchy. They can even transmit diseases. Although there are a few substances that protect us from these bites, they soon evaporate, which means that they have no real effect. Thanks to WACKERrsquo;s cyclodextrins, however, it is possible to considerably increase the time that these substances remain effective. For instance, tests showed that they lasted for nine instead of six hours.

Mangoes are sensitive. At least a fifth of them spoil before they reach consumers in Europe or the US. Thatrsquo;s why the Dutch company Liquidseal has developed a protective coating for such fruit. A VAE dispersion is sprayed on the mangoes immediately after theyrsquo;ve been picked. This soon dries to form an ultrathin film that prevents the fruit from spoiling so quickly.

Chewing gum and chewy candy used to be two different worlds. Now, as part of the ldquo;Candy to Gumrdquo; project, WACKER is launching Capiva C03, a ready-to-use compound for candy manufacturers. It allows manufacturers to offer a new candy treat that behaves like chewy candy in the mouth at first, but after a while an aromatic gum base provides a longer lasting sensation.

Graffiti and stickers are a real headache for municipalities and railway operators. WACKER has now developed the first silicone-based product that protects bridges, underpasses and utility boxes from this kind of damage for a long time to come. Tests under real-life circumstances have shown that tough times are ahead for these wannabe artists.

The Lascaux Cave - this richly painted World Heritage Site - is threatened with destruction due to visitors. For display in a new museum, the cave was therefore faithfully copied by a French company and painted by artists true to the Stone Age original. ELASTOSIL M silicone from WACKER was used to make the molds.