Dow × Hisense’s Innovation Code: A Deep Game of Sustainability

On September 8, Dow and Hisense Home Appliances Group signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding, a move that marks a new stage in their partnership. The MoU establishes long-term collaboration and regular exchanges in the polyurethane and home appliance sectors. Even more significantly, both parties agreed to set up a joint laboratory at Dow’s Shanghai Center, dedicated to developing new materials and technologies to meet the rapidly changing demands of the home appliance market. As Xu Hui, Dow’s Business Director for Polyurethanes in Asia Pacific, put it, this agreement “further consolidates the long-term collaboration between Dow and Hisense in the polyurethane sector,” with Dow committed to providing high-quality raw materials and solutions to support Hisense’s sustainability goals.

Joint Laboratory: The Engine of Innovation 

The new joint laboratory will be based at the Dow Shanghai R&D Center, the company’s largest research hub in Asia Pacific, with over 400 scientists and more than 100 labs. Leveraging this platform, Dow’s CTO in Asia Pacific, Dr. Fuliya, emphasized that “we will work closely with Hisense to co-develop new materials and technologies. This not only meets the evolving needs of the appliance market, but also injects new momentum into industry innovation”. This is not a simple resource alignment—it is a genuine integration of technologies. Dow brings deep expertise in material science, while Hisense contributes its strong market presence and manufacturing know-how. Together, they form a synergistic force that accelerates the transition from lab-scale ideas to mass production.

Polyurethane: The Invisible Hero of Energy-Efficient Refrigerators

Why is polyurethane so critical? In modern refrigerators, rigid polyurethane foam is the dominant insulation material, providing exceptional thermal resistance and dramatically reducing energy consumption. According to the European Chemical Industry Council, PU foam used in refrigerators and freezers has helped today’s A-rated models achieve roughly 60% higher energy efficiency compared to 15 years ago. Without such insulation, food waste would surge dramatically—up to half of all global food could be lost without effective refrigeration.

The joint lab is expected to innovate in PU formulations and blowing agents. One major trend is replacing high-GWP HFC blowing agents with low-GWP hydrocarbons. EU data shows that nearly all appliance-grade PU foams in Europe now use pentane-based agents without sacrificing energy performance. Hisense has been an early mover here: as early as 2015, it introduced Honeywell’s Solstice low-GWP blowing agent, reducing refrigerator energy consumption by 8–10% . Future work may explore bio-based polyols, multifunctional flame retardants, and next-gen catalysts, further improving refrigerators’ efficiency and environmental performance.

Green Manufacturing and Sustainability Alignment

Hisense executives have long stressed green manufacturing and sustainability. As Vice President Wang Hao noted: “Hisense has always been committed to sustainable development… This partnership allows us to explore eco-friendly materials in refrigerators and appliances with Dow, delivering products that are both efficient and environmentally responsible”. Hisense has also set ambitious climate goals: peaking carbon emissions from operations before 2026 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2050. To that end, the company has already built one “Lighthouse Factory,” three zero-carbon factories, and 14 nationally certified green factories, with plans to cut carbon intensity by 40% per unit by 2030.

Dow, meanwhile, integrates sustainability into its core strategy. According to S&P Global, Dow’s targets cover climate change, waste conversion, and circular economy initiatives, with a focus on decarbonization and recycling. This MoU reflects a shared commitment: by merging cutting-edge materials innovation with green manufacturing practices, Dow and Hisense will accelerate the appliance sector’s low-carbon transformation.

Looking Ahead: Global Impact of a Strategic Alliance 

This collaboration is not only a milestone in polyurethane applications but also a step toward global cooperation. Dow and Hisense will continue to co-innovate across materials, processes, and manufacturing methods, raising efficiency and lowering costs, while making refrigerators more energy-saving, durable, and cost-effective.

From an industry perspective, the timing is critical. As the Paris Agreement and national carbon targets advance, demand for eco-friendly appliances is soaring. Other partnerships, such as Covestro and Midea’s low-carbon refrigerators showcased at major trade expos, underscore the urgency of sustainable design. By setting up a joint lab, Dow and Hisense are positioning themselves at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging material science to capture market opportunities and meet regulatory demands.

In sum, this partnership illustrates how a global chemical leader and a Chinese appliance giant are engaging in a deep game of sustainability. By combining science, manufacturing, and sustainability commitments, they are shaping the future of refrigeration and beyond—delivering products that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and consumer-friendly.