Dow adds 59,000 tonnes specialty polyols capacity

10 September 2007 17:53  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--Dow Chemical said on Monday it will add 130m lb (59,000 tonnes/year) of specialty mix polyols capacity at its Texas plant in Freeport.

Scheduled to come on stream in early 2009, the additional capacity will support growing demand for end-use polyurethanes products and polyurethane systems formulations in North America, Dow said. 

“We’re seeing solid growth in all aspects of our business, but are particularly encouraged by growing customer interest in our low-amine emissions Voranol Voractiv polyols, as well as customised systems formulations that offer specific performance benefits in key applications,” said Doug Warner, business director for Dow Polyols, a business unit within Dow Polyurethanes. 

Dow did not reveal the cost of the capacity addition nor its current capacity.

According to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), polyols consumption in North America is estimated at 2.9 bn lb/year, with an annual growth rate comparable to gross domestic product (GDP), Dow said.

Growth is driven primarily by demand in automotive, coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers, specialty foams for the furniture and bedding industries as well as appliance applications, according to Dow.

Dow is a leading supplier of polyols and polyurethane products throughout North America.  In early 2007, Dow announced its plans to expand MDI production in Freeport by 50 percent over the next three years. 

Expected to be completed in 2009, the expansion will bring an additional 250m lb of MDI production name-plate capacity to the company’s world-class facility, which came on stream in 2005, Dow said.

By: Ron Coifman
+1 713 525 2653

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly