Dow Biocides Increases its Energy Efficiency by 55 Million KW-HR Per Year

Buffalo Grove, IL - March 11, 2009

Dow Biocides, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and global leader in antimicrobial solutions, announces the implementation of an improvement in process technology that has resulted in a significant reduction in energy consumption. The improvement applies to a key step in the production of glutaraldehyde, a franchise molecule for Dow Biocides. “We have successfully reduced a complex multi-step synthesis to a comparatively simple and elegant single step.” noted David Midkiff, manufacturing leader, Dow Biocides. “This new process is expected to result in a savings of 55 million kW-hr per year which, according to the average electric consumption for a U.S. household, is enough energy for nearly 5,000 homes.”

Another benefit from the implementation of the new technology includes increasing Dow’s overall production capacity, which fulfills a commitment announced in March of 2008 that Dow Biocides would increase its production capability for glutaraldehyde by approximately 60 percent. Additionally, the new process produces glutaraldehyde that has equivalent or higher purity and a comparable impurity profile. According to Midkiff this was determined both through the use of sophisticated analytical techniques and validated by downstream commercial-scale processing of the final product. “Dow Biocides has a world-class production facility which further enhances our commitment to this franchise molecule and its sustainable production to service key markets,” said Nanette Hermsen, global marketing manager for Dow Biocides.

Dow glutaraldehyde has a broad regulatory coverage around the globe and has one of the most studied and sustainable environmental profile of any biocide available in the market. Glutaraldehyde is used in a number of diverse markets that are core to Dow’s growth strategies – from animal biosecurity, oilfield, pulp and paper to cooling water and high level disinfection. 
Glutaraldehyde from Dow Biocides is sold under a number of trademarks including:  AQUCAR™, GLUTEX™, UCARCIDE™, and UCARSAN™ as well as an industrial use product called Glutaraldehyde 25% and 50%. 

Dow Biocides is the industry’s leading suppliers of glutaraldehyde, which is produced at Institute, West Virginia, a site managed by Union Carbide Corporation, a wholly owned Dow Subsidiary. 

About Dow Biocides

Currently offering the industry's largest and most diverse product portfolio, Dow Biocides offers products for many types of microbial challenges and system requirements. The performance capabilities range from high to low pH performance, quick kill to sustained performance and a range of registrations unparalleled in the industry. Need a biocide for a specific application? Ask us how we can help, or visit www.dowbiocides.com

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For Editorial Information:

Dwayne J. Roark
The Dow Chemical Company
+1 847 808 3771

Vanessa Horn
Gibbs & Soell
+1 847 519 9150 ext. 2107
vhorn@gibbs-soell.com