Dow Chemical to build world-scale Infuse plant

Midland, Michigan - Dow Chemical Co. said it will build its first global-scale plant to produce olefin block copolymers under the "Infuse" brand, at a facility in Freeport, Texas.

The company said it recently finished its first trial manufacturing run at the site and is planning full-scale manufacturing of the thermoplastic elastomer in the third quarter of this year.

Introduced in June 2006, the Infuse olefin block copolymers offer block architecture that allow for new combinations of performance and processing enhancements, the company said. The material was created using Dow Chemical's Insite technology, which enables olefin elastomers to expand into applications for converters and manufacturers of flexible goods and products.

Infuse olefin block copolymers are used to make flexible moulded goods, profile extruded goods, elastic fibers and films, coated fabrics, hoses and tubes, foams, adhesives and tapes, Dow Chemical said.

The company didn't reveal the cost of the project. The Freeport operation also produces Affinity polyolefin plastomers and Engage polyolefin elastomers.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)