Dow upgrading UK silicones site under global investment plan

Barry, UK –  Dow Chemical Co. is upgrading its silicones production site in Barry, Wales, as part of a broader global investment plan to meet demand growth.

The project is part of a series of “low-capital-intensity, high-return” investments in its upstream and downstream silicones franchise, Dow explained in a 15 Oct statement.

In Barry, the company is adding a new installation to develop and establish ‘most effective technology’ for compounding high consistency rubber (HCR) and fluorosilicone rubber (FSR).

With the project, Dow expects to improve product quality and consistency, worker safety, productivity and cost structure. The new facility is expected to come online in mid-2019.

Dow has also announced the construction of a new silicone resin plant at its existing manufacturing site in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, China. The facility is set for startup in 2021.