Dow Chemical, headquartered in Midland, announced it will build a new plant that will manufacture propylene glycol, in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, expanding its reach in Asian markets.
The plant will use a new sustainable technology that converts hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide, and then make propylene glycol from it. The technology was developed by Dow and BASF Global, another leading chemical company.
The Map Ta Phut plant is being built as part of an integrated joint venture project with Siam Cement Group, a Thai manufacturer.
Dow says the new plant will be able to provide high quality glycol and related products with a safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly process. Its location will also mean more local manufacturing support for Dow's Asian customers, which include the pharmaceutical, food and personal care industries, among others.
It also will use a new energy reduction and optimization technology that was recently put in place at Dow's German propylene glycol plant, which is designed to help reduce energy use and environmental impact while preserving production goals.
"The new plant, combined with our new (hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide) technology, demonstrates Dow's commitment to our customers in the Asia Pacific region by offering locally sourced propylene glycol for enhanced supply reliability," says John Smith, Dow's global business director for propylene oxide and propylene glycols. "With these investments, Dow is well-positioned long-term to strategically grow our (propylene glycol) franchise with sustainability and competitiveness in the region."
The plant will bring Dow's propylene glycol manufacturing sites to six across the world, and would be the company's first in Asia. The others are in Germany, North America, Brazil and Australia. Dow is the world's largest producer of propylene glycol, which is used in a wide range of products including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, water systems, and many others.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: John Smith, Dow Chemical Company
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