Dow and Air Products agree to global distribution deal for PU prepolymers

Midland, Michigan - Dow Chemical Co. will become the exclusive global distributor of Air Products' polyurethane prepolymers used in the manufacture of cast elastomers.

Pennsylvania-based Air Products has given Dow exclusive distribution rights for its Airthane and Versathane prepolymers, with the exception of its existing US and Canadian customers.

The Michigan-based chemical giant will also become a non-exclusive distributor of Air Products' Versalink curatives.

“Air Products will benefit from Dow's technological capabilities, geographic presence and expertise in reaching the global cast elastomer markets while allowing Air Products to focus on other areas for growth where we have greater presence,” Air Products global business director of performance products Bob Thomas said. “We believe that the ability to service customers will be greatly enhanced as a result of this agreement by expanding the breadth of solutions offered to customers globally.”

Juan Antonio Merino, general manager of polyurethanes systems at Dow said: “This agreement will offer Dow the possibility to assist our customers and further broaden its polyurethane offering by adding the low-free TDI (toluene diisocyanate) prepolymer technology developed by Air Products to its mix.”