Construction Of SCG-Dow Group’s Thailand Plant On Track

SCG-Dow Group, a joint venture between The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and Siam Cement Group (SCG), has said that the construction of specialty elastomers plant in the Asia Industrial Estate in Rayong Province, Thailand, is on track. The company expects the plant to be operational in early 2011. 

Heinz Haller, executive vice president of Dow Performance Products & Systems, said: “Despite the plunge in chemical demand triggered by the worldwide economic downturn and the very challenging economic environment, Dow remains focused on its strategy to invest in its downstream performance businesses and to drive growth in Asia Pacific. Dow is laying the foundations for its elastomers business in the global marketplace and aims to use its investment in Thailand as a springboard to expand its presence in Asia.” 

The company said that specialty elastomers train is based on metallocene technology and will currently serve the Asian regions and supplement Dow’s European and North American assets. This new facility is expected to supply Dow’s customers with quality plastomers and elastomers, including AFFINITY Polyolefin Plastomers and ENGAGE Polyolefin Elastomers. 

“Once completed, the plant can supply products to the global market and may possibly provide products only to the Asian market in the future when Asia Pacific demand is fully developed,” added Haller. 

Dow’s R&D activities in Asia recently ramped up with a new R&D center in Shanghai, which began operation in February 2009. With a footprint of 65,000 square meters, the facility is Asia’s first total R&D center (including fundamental research), claims the company.