Dow announces global silicone capacity expansion

Midland, Michigan - Dow Inc. is investing in increasing global supply capabilities in silicone materials as the mobility and transportation industry shifts focus on smarter, safer, and more sustainable solutions.

In an announcement 30 March, the US materials company listed a number of expansion projects for 2022 within its mobility science sector, which provides silicone solutions to the automotive and transportation industry.

At Dow’s Jincheon site in South Korea, investments are being made to support the development of mouldable optical silicone technologies for both automotive and industrial lighting applications.

Additional investments are also planned this year for Dow’s operations in elsewhere, including in Midland, Michigan and in Songjiang and Zhangjiagang, China.

Dow said a recently completed a round of capital investments in 2021 spanning North America, Asia and Europe had been used to address “demands for novel technologies” within the mobility and transportation industry.

As a result, in Midland, Michigan, the company expanded its fluorosilicone rubber capabilities with the installation of a new gum mixer.

In Zhangjiagang, China, a new liquid silicone rubber mixer was added while investments were also made in a pair of new mixers for thermally conductive technologies at Songjiang.

To further support the high demand for electric vehicles in Europe, a new mixer for thermally conductive technologies was installed in Wiesbaden, Germany.

“The mobility and transportation industry is undergoing its biggest evolution in more than 100 years, and we’re proud to play a role in driving the industry forward,” said Jeroen Bello, global marketing director for mobility and transportation, Dow Consumer Solutions.

In addition to the mobility segment, Dow has also signalled plans to expand its silicone capabilities within its materials and coatings business.

In its 2021 annual report earlier in the year, Dow said it was expanding capacity in formulated solutions for coatings and silicones through “incremental debottlenecking projects.”

Furthermore, the company said it completed a turnaround at its siloxane facility in China in the fourth quarter of last year.

This, Dow said, allows the company “take advantage of tight global market conditions as silicon metal supplies improve and energy curtailments in China continue to ease.”

The supplier is also executing a turnaround at its methacrylates facility in Deer Park, Texas, and expects a $25 million (€23 million) net tailwind in the first quarter of 2022 from the two turnarounds projects.