Bomlitz, Germany - September 24, 2008
Building on its strengths in regulated applications, as well as the ongoing demand and product development needs in the food, personal care and pharmaceutical industries, Dow Wolff Cellulosics GmbH, an affiliated company of The Dow Chemical Company, today announced new capacity in the production of low-viscosity (LV) Methylcellulose products with a new LV train that began operating in Bomlitz, Germany.
The Company also started to operate a new Methylcellulose (MC) train in early 2008, designed to deliver products serving construction and industrial applications, in Midland, Michigan (USA).
Next significant manufacturing milestone will be a new MC production plant in Bitterfeld, Germany. This facility remains scheduled to come on stream as planned in Q1 2009 and will be one of the worlds largest and highly competitive MC plant operating with state of the art technology.
"With five Methylcellulosics sites and four additional specialty chemicals manufacturing sites, we can offer a competitive and reliable multiple site-based sourcing grid for our customers around the globe," said Martin Sonntag, General Manager of Dow Wolff Cellulosics GmbH.
"Cellulosics and their formulation are core to our business and, as specialty products, a key element of Dow’s overall corporate growth strategy. Our combined plans for expanded capacity and specialized capabilities reflect Dow’s commitment to all customers in major industries that consume cellulose ethers, and who rely on our technical support capabilities, global reach, long-term focus and reliable operations" said Paul Gunnar Schlüter, global asset director for Dow Wolff Cellulosics.
About Dow Wolff Cellulosics
A preferred development supplier in its industries, Dow Wolff Cellulosics supplies high-performance cellulose derivatives and complementary chemistries, and has experience in formulation know-how for a broad variety of end-use products in construction, food, personal care, pharmaceuticals, paint and other specialty industrial applications.
As an affiliated company of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Wolff Cellulosics GmbH was created on July 01, 2007 as a new business encompassing the cellulose activities of Wolff Walsrode AG and Dow’s Water Soluble Polymers business. On a pro-forma basis, Dow Wolff Cellulosics had combined revenues of more than US $1 billion in 2006 and employed 2,200 people worldwide. More details about Dow Wolff Cellulosics are on the Web at www.dowwolffcellulosics.com.
About Dow
With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element " to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
For Editorial Information:
Michael Heinz
Dow Wolff Cellulosics
mheinz@dow.com