 |
 |
 |
The term “environmental footprint,” generally makes us think about the kind of impact Dow products have on our world. But at Dow, we are beginning to see this footprint in a new, exciting way.
It begins with short-term efforts that include energy savings worldwide and extends to longer-term products and processes that are offering alternative options for energy and feedstocks. Since 1995, Dow’s corporate efforts have saved more than 1,400 trillion BTUs, resulting in a cost savings of $7 billion. From 1995 to 2005, Dow reduced its energy intensity by 22 percent – enough to power 8 million homes for a year. And that’s just the beginning.
No Ozone-Depleting Potential
With the development of a new foaming agent with no ozone-depleting potential Dow has underscored its commitment to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The next-generation foaming agent technology will allow the manufacture of STYROFOAM™ Brand R5/inch insulation with a zero ozone-depletion factor, cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half for Dow’s North American production sites.
Let the Sun Shine
Recent reports indicate the solar cell production industry is growing at an annual rate of 40 percent. New capacity of solar cells during the next three years will account for the production of more than 11,000 megawatts of electricity.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, Dow’s Performance Fluids business is enabling three large solar power plants in Spain to collect heat and convert it to electrical energy. Starting later this year, Dow will deliver over 5,000 metric tons of DOWTHERM™ A to various solar plants located there.
“Garbage Gas”
Using methane gas piped from a nearby landfill, Dow’s Dalton, Ga., manufacturing facility is using DOW™ LOMAX™ Technology to create carpet backing. Annually, the process will use approximately 240 billion BTUs of methane gas, which is equivalent to the amount of energy required to heat 2,100 U.S. homes.
Carpet backing manufactured with LOMAX™ Technology will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 27 million pounds annually – which is comparable to keeping 2,300 cars off the road each year. If measured by oil consumed, LOMAX™ Technology will replace more than 200,000 barrels annually.
Biomass to Ethanol
Dow and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are jointly developing and evaluating a process that will convert biomass to ethanol, and other chemical building blocks. The process will use non-food ingredients, like the leaves from a corn plant or wood wastes, and convert the bio-based material through a gasification process to synthesis gas. Dow’s technology helps convert the synthesis gas into a mixture of alcohols including ethanol that can be used as transportation fuels or chemical building blocks.
Passive Houses
A "Passive House" is a housing standard that calls for a dramatic reduction in energy consumption and zero carbon emissions. Using Dow products, a home was remodeled in Italy to meet the passive challenge. The proof is in the 92 percent reduction in energy consumption and zero carbon emissions.
Going for Gold
Dow Canada is an Official Supplier to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As the official supplier of insulation materials, Dow Building Solutions is supplying products like STYROFOAM™ Brand Insulation for energy savings and protection from the elements in the construction of the Olympic venues.
With all of this activity – and much more to come—it’s easy to see why Dow is considered a leader in reducing its environmental footprint in amazing ways. Read more about information on Dow's Commitments.
