Dow starts up polyol plant in Thailand

US chemicals giant Dow Chemical has started up a new plant in Rayong, Thailand, that will produce 79,000 tonnes/year of polyols for use in rigid polyurethane.

The new plant, located at the Asia Industrial Estate (AIE) in Rayong, compliments Dow’s new polyurethane systems sites in India and China and the US firm says it bolsters its position in the Asia Pacific region. Dow currently operates six other manufacturing plants within the AIE.

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Polyols are a raw material in rigid polyurethanes used to in applications like cold chains, appliances, and construction. Dow offers polyols in a variety of formats to help meet regional- and country-level regulations and standards.

“The Rayong facility is an important addition to Dow’s global polyurethanes manufacturing network, further enabling us to deliver industry-leading products that help customers minimize their environmental footprint, while creating lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits throughout the entire product life cycle,” Jane Palmieri, Dow Polyurethanes business president, said in a company press release announcing the plant’s opening.

“We are living in an era when innovative and effective solutions are needed to address imperative sustainability challenges, including energy consumption and climate change,” Dow Polyurethanes Commercial Director for Asia Pacific Christina Yu said in a statement. “This is particularly important in Asia Pacific where significant population growth and increasing energy consumption is translating to higher demand for energy efficiency solutions.”

The AIE site covers 515 ha and is said to adhere to the most advanced environmental, health and safety standards in its operations and management, utilising latest technologies to minimise its overall environmental footprint.