Dow Electrical & Telecommunications Announces Strategic Manufacturing Investments

Thursday, Oct 06, 2011

As part of its commitment to develop breakthrough solutions for global energy needs, Dow Electrical & Telecommunications (Dow E&T), a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, announced today a series of strategic investments in assets that serve customers in the wire and cable sector.

The investments include modernization of its manufacturing facilities in Seadrift, Texas, USA and Schkopau, Germany. These modernizations complement ongoing improvements that have already advanced the quality and consistency of materials produced by the business, ensuring production of reliable, long-life cables that stand up to demanding performance requirements worldwide.

The improvements at Seadrift comprise new leading-edge technology and enhanced capabilities to produce DOW ENDURANCE™ HFDC 4202 EC insulation, Dow’s next generation medium voltage (MV) offering, as well as jacket and insulation compounds for high voltage (HV) and extra high voltage (EHV) applications. A major reactor turnaround on one of two reactors has begun with the second reactor scheduled for this time next year. Upgraded process controls also are being implemented along with next generation Most Effective Technology (MET) for reaction and crosslinkable polyethylene material facilities.

In Schkopau, similar MET for crosslinkable polyethylene power cable insulation production is being executed along with industry leading product quality control systems that also will be leveraged to the Seadrift facility. These proprietary measures are being undertaken as part of continuous improvement efforts to help ensure stringent materials cleanliness that is especially crucial to the superclean compounds expected for HV and EHV cable applications.

“Our commitment to the power industry has helped us enjoy a leadership position in technology for medium voltage applications for nearly six decades,” said Tim Laughlin, General Manager, Dow Electrical & Telecommunications. “Higher voltage applications continue to grow in every region of the world, and this modernization project will enable us to achieve increased reliability, performance and capacity enhancements – especially in our HV and EHV product lines.”

“Dow Electrical & Telecommunications’ investment in equipment, people and operating discipline at the Seadrift and Schkopau manufacturing units signal an ongoing commitment to the industry that will enable us to continue to deliver world-class capabilities along with innovative, quality products that meet or exceed our customers’ needs and offer peace of mind to end users for decades of reliable cable service,” concluded Laughlin.

About Dow Electrical & Telecommunications
Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, a business unit in the Performance Plastics Division of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”), is a leading global provider of products, technology, solutions and knowledge that sets standards for reliability, longevity, efficiency, ease of installation and protection that the power and telecommunications industries can count on in the transmission, distribution and consumption of power, voice and data. Understanding that collaboration is essential to success, Dow Electrical & Telecommunications works together with cable makers, other industry suppliers, utilities, municipalities, testing institutes and other organizations around the world to help develop solutions and create mutual value that will sustain these industries for years to come. For more information, visit www.dow.com/electrical.

About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow (NYSE: Dow) combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

Source: Dow