Dow announces “high-return” expansions in silicones business

Midland, Michigan – Dow has announced a series of “incremental, high-return capacity expansions” across a number of business areas including its silicone rubber operations. 

The US polymers major is carrying out ‘several growth projects’ within its consumer solutions business, to come online globally throughout 2021, said Dow's 1 July statement. 

Projects include capacity-expansions for silicone elastomers and thermally-conductive materials, to meet growing demand for sustainable and lightweight automotive parts.

Furthermore, Dow is increasing production capacity for silicone polymers and sealants to support the construction industry with design flexibility and safety. 

Dow is also upping production of 'silicone engineered materials' and pressure sensitive adhesive products supplied to the consumer & electronics markets.

The company statement did not provide details of the scale of the capacity expansions or the investment-amount involved.

Dow did say that the expansions built on previous investments in its consumer solutions business, including debottlenecking, efficiency-improvement and 'growth-capital' projects in 2019 and 2020.

These investments included a new installation to improve productivity for compounding high consistency rubber (HCR) and fluorosilicone rubber at Dow's Barry, UK site.  

In March 2020, Dow signed an MoU with the Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone for potential investments of €253 million in new capacity for silicone intermediates and finished products.

“Dow is committed to investing in differentiated silicone and speciality materials assets to drive innovation and grow with our customers globally,” Mauro Gregorio, president, Dow Performance Materials & Coatings, said in the latest statement.