Dow intends to build MDI distillation and prepolymer plant in Texas

On June 9th, Dow announced that it plans to build an integrated MDI distillation and prepolymer facility at its world-class production base in Freeport, Texas. This investment will support the growing demand for downstream polyurethane system materials and increase Dow's leading position in attractive application areas in the construction, consumer and industrial markets, where the growth rate of development in these areas is higher than the growth rate of GDP.

The new MDI facility in Freeport will replace Dow’s current North American production capacity in La Porte, Texas, and will also be able to provide Dow customers with an additional 30% of its products. With the start of MDI's new plant, Dow will close its polyurethane assets in La Porte in 2023.

Jane Palmieri, President of Dow Industrial Intermediates and Infrastructure Operations, said: "This MDI investment will optimize our existing asset infrastructure, strengthen our leadership in the global polyurethane field, and further enable us to support downstream system material customers. "The upward integration of the free port base will create a cost-competitive upstream polyurethane raw material supply, ensure reliable supply, support our growth in the downstream high-value polyurethane market, and provide a more sustainable production process . "

The new installation in Freeport will reduce Dow's carbon footprint and water use:

* Eliminate the need for heat production by using the existing heat energy of the free port base;

* Reduce water consumption and waste water discharge (by improving production efficiency);

* No need to transport raw materials.

Dow’s extensive polyurethane system material franchise is upgraded to produce rigid foam, semi-rigid foam, flexible foam, and key polyurethane components for coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and composites. The applications range from industrial and basic Facilities solutions range from consumer comfort solutions to flooring, furniture, bedding and footwear, to automotive interior solutions, and energy-saving insulation materials.