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Product Line Functional Silanes / JJDC Silane Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City

An organofunctional silanes workshop for Degussa’s regional JV trading and distribution organization Jebsen & Jessen

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Degussa Chemicals Pte. Ltd. (JJDC) was staged in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam during Sept. 20 - 22, 2006. All JJDC country organizations sent their relevant sale representatives, agents from India and Korea were also present. BL Silanes’ Marketing Director in Asia, Mieczyslaw Kuzma, Dr. Peter Jenkner from the Silanes New Business Development Group in Frankfurt and John Ng, Regional Manager Silanes South East Asia, guided the participants through the workshop.

A comprehensive overview on general features of Dynasylan^® and Protectosil^® product lines as well as a basic insight in the chemistry and reactivity of organofunctional silanes was provided in earlier workshops conducted in Kuala Lumpur (2004) and Bangkok (2005). Consecutively participants were updated on the position of Degussa’s silane business. Following sessions focused on a wide range of applications such as building and construction, polymer dispersions, artificial marble. Silane systems with easy-to-clean, water-repellent and water-scavenging effects were highlighted and their specific applications explained.

The key benefits of silanes such as adhesion promotion, crosslinking, surface modification, reinforcement, dehydration as well as their roles as co-monomers and co-binders were discussed. Brand strategies for Dynasylan^® (functional silanes) and Protectosil^® (building protection products) were introduced and their globally leading position highlighted. Special attention was given to highly sophisticated multifunctional silane systems such as Dynasylan^® SIVO 121, a highly effective surface treatment for wood. This was complemented by several practical demonstrations.

On the closing day Peter Jenkner zoomed in on the theoretical background of the unique beneficial properties of organosilanes to make the participants better understand the reasons behind specific effects to be achieved in various environments. Last but not least a brainstorming session on typical Asian applications for silanes was held and a strategic approach to the business opportunities in the various ASEAN countries prepared. Peter Jenkner states: "The competitive advantage of JJDC is that it can offer its customers a variety of complimentary products out of one hand. JJDC's "one face to the customer" approach is ideal for taking care of the needs of our industrial customers and serves the Business Line Silanes quite well." Silanes are today an integral part of the product portfolio of JJDC and fit its strategy as a solution provider.

By nature the silanes are specialty chemicals that singularly or in addition to other products add to and improve the performance of a wide range of products and applications. The workshop was very well received by all participants, lively discussions indicated that all participants had accumulated a profound knowledge of products and applications since the first venue was conducted in 2004. JJDC Malaysia's Tai Ho Mack comments: "The workshop was highly beneficial as a lot of valuable practical information regarding silane applications was shared with us. I already have a number of target customers on my radar screen whom I will contact a soon as I get back home."