Dow announces global expansion of silicone resin capacity
Midland, MI – As part of its broader investment plan to meet silicones demand growth and drive innovation, The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) recently announced the construction of a new silicone resin plant to expand its global capacity and meet increased demand for high value, specialty silicone products in key industries and emerging markets worldwide.
The new facility is expected to come online in 2021 and will be located on Dow’s existing manufacturing hub in Zhangjiagang, in eastern China.
A high-tech material featuring unique physical and chemical properties, silicone resin is critical for high value specialty silicone applications in the home and personal care, pressure sensitive adhesives, antifoams, moldable optics for lighting and specialty chemical industries.
“We have witnessed impressive growth in demand for higher end consumer goods with the world’s growing affluence and continued middle class expansion, especially in emerging markets,” said Mauro Gregorio, business president, Dow Consumer Solutions. “We strive to maintain a customer-centric focus in all of our operations. Our new silicone resin plant is the latest testament to this commitment, and we believe it will allow us to serve the needs of our customers in a superior and more successful manner.”
The new plant, whose design, construction and operations will adhere to Dow’s world class environment, health and safety standards, will help better position Dow to address the global market imbalance in silicones supply and demand, provide enhanced supply security for customers, while helping them grow and succeed, especially in the dynamic markets of the Asia-Pacific region.
The new facility will be part of Dow’s integrated silicone manufacturing site located in the Yangtze River International Chemical Industrial Park in Zhangjiagang, China. Construction of this integrated manufacturing site began in 2006 and it has been operational since 2010. Covering an area of around one million square meters, it is the largest silicone manufacturing site in China.