Dow Inaugurates New Formulation and Prototyping Development Laboratory in Spain

Investment drives technical innovation for Dow Polyurethane Systems.

Today, Dow announced the inauguration of a new formulation and prototyping development laboratory in Ribaforada, Spain. The laboratory, which is part of an existing Dow Polyurethane Systems House facility at the site, will focus on the development of differentiated systems formulations for customers throughout Southern Europe and North Africa. The expansion reflects Dow’s ongoing strategy to invest in growing its portfolio of value-added performance products.

“We have built the Dow Polyurethane Systems business around innovation and development, and our customers have come to expect from us a broad range of tailored solutions for a variety of downstream markets,” said Juan Antonio Merino, general manager, Dow Polyurethane Systems. “Enabled by Dow’s over 50 years of experience in urethane and polymer chemistry, this new lab will help us develop next generation system formulations that offer improved quality and performance as well as sustainable solutions.”

Construction of the laboratory began in October 2006. The facility includes prototyping units for in-house trials and testing, additional space for polymer testing capabilities and equipment for flexible molded and rigid foams as well as footwear applications, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers.

“For more than 30 years, Dow has been a part of the Navarra community, providing jobs, economic growth and striving to enhance the quality of life in Spain and Portugal,” commented Anton Valero, general manager, Dow Ibérica. “Today’s announcement further demonstrates our long-term commitment to the site, the community and its people.”

According to Merino, the new lab in Ribaforada is yet another example of Dow’s strategy to grow and further strengthen its global polyurethanes portfolio through a combination of investing it its assets, and through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. In 2007, Dow acquired two polyurethane systems businesses located in Europe: Hyperlast Limited - now operating as Dow Hyperlast* - which specializes in innovative spray cast elastomers for the marine, engineering resin, oil and gas pipeline and automotive industries, with operations in Birch Vale, UK; and, Edulan, an independent polyurethane systems house specializing in rigid foam and elastomer formulation technologies, located in Denmark.

“The investments made at the Ribaforada facility also underscore Dow’s commitment to our customers,” stated Javier Carnicer, Dow Polyurethanes Systems House director for Ribaforada. “Many of our customers throughout the region rely on our polyurethane chemistry and formulation expertise to help them develop new and differentiated solutions to meet specific market needs such as environmental sustainability, and performance and regulatory requirements.”