Midland, MI - December 17, 2007
The Dow Chemical Company announced today that a new integrated Specialty Alkanolamines facility constructed by its Amines business in Plaquemine, La., has passed all design tests and is now fully operational and producing products to Dow specifications. According to Dow, the new production unit is unique among North American Specialty Alkanolamine production facilities because it produces both Isopropanolamine (IPA) and Alkyl Alkanolamine (AAA) products.
Jennifer Zamora, global product marketing manager, Dow Isopropanolamines and Alkyl Alkanolamines, says, "The new facility will give Dow extensive mix flexibility in the production of amine products to better meet the changing needs of Isopropanolamines and Alkyl Alkanolamines customers. The new plant also reduces levels of co-products and by-products common in earlier Amines operations, which results in greater overall efficiency."
Jennifer says, "On-site production of key raw materials, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, at Plaquemine further enhances the competitiveness of the new plant and also eliminates transportation of hazardous chemicals. The facility enables us to serve the broader global market due to its scale and flexibility. With this investment, all of Dow's North American Amines production will be in highly integrated petrochemical complexes, to help ensure low-cost and reliable operations."
According to Kevin Dillan, global business director, Dow Amines, the new production unit and other Dow investments demonstrate the Company's commitment to Specialty Alkanolamines, which he says is a strategic business for Dow. "We are a leading, marketer and consumer of Specialty Alkanolamines," Dillan says. "Today, we're experiencing robust growth in our Gas Treating business, which focuses on removing acid gases and carbon dioxide from natural gas and refinery streams."
Isopropanolamines are typically used in agriculture, coatings, rubber, surfactants, and gas treating applications and can also be used in personal care products, metal working fluids, electronics, and industrial cleaning products. Alkyl Alkanolamines are a key component in gas treating solvents used to purify natural gas and refinery gas streams. They are also useful intermediates in the synthesis of numerous products including pharmaceuticals, fabric softeners and coatings.
Dow Amines operates production facilities in North America, (Plaquemine and Hahnville, La.; Freeport and Seadrift, Texas), Europe (Terneuzen, The Netherlands), as well as in Asia Pacific at OPTIMAL Chemicals (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd, a joint venture of Union Carbide Corporation and Petroliam Nasional Berhad.
About Dow
For more information visit our business web sites at www.dowamines.com and www.dowgastreating.com.
For Editorial Information:
Melissa Bressette
The Dow Chemical Company
989-636-8068
