Renewables-based silicone sealants are an approach to encompass and compensate all fossil-based raw materials and additives in the product formulation by using bio-based methanol. Therefore, the purchased bio methanol can be obtained from certified sustainable sources. Using less raw material volumes for manufacturing and approving this by annual recertification processes can be an important step towards sustainably produced products in the market.

The performance and the quality of the standard and fossil-free grades is completely identical. So they can be used for private and professional construction applications: outstanding adhesion and elongation in glazing and window applications as well as selected industrial or sanitary applications.

Through this product innovation, individual homeowners across Europe and professional users will be able to purchase eco-friendly and resources saving silicone sealants for any kind of improvement activities. The bio-based product paves the way to an increasing share of sustainably manufactured construction chemicals.

Silicone sealants primarily consist of several components: a silicone polymer that cures at room temperature to form a rubber-like elastomer, plasticizers, fillers and additives.

Apart from silicon, which is manufactured by reducing quartzite with coke, an important raw material for manufacturing the polymer used for silicone sealants is methanol. Both methanol derived from fossil raw materials and from biomass can be used for the production.

The mass balance approach encompasses the entire formulation of the ready-to-use silicone sealant and compensates all fossil-based raw materials and additives by using bio-based methanol. WACKER Chemie AG for example already uses this officially certified method for manufacturing bio methanol-based silicone products for the textile, paper and consumer goods industries and for producing vinyl acetate ethylene copolymer binders based on bio-based acetic acid.