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2010 DatabookSpecialty Materials is an exciting portfolio of businesses characterized by a vast global footprint, a broad array of unique chemistries, multi-functional ingredients and technology capabilities. These technology capabilities enable Specialty Materials to develop innovative solutions that address modern societal needs for sufficient and clean water, air and energy, material preservation and improved healthcare, disease prevention, nutrition and wellness. Its global footprint and geographic reach provide multiple opportunities for value growth, with a solid position in developed economies as well as the critical mass in emerging economies to aggressively pursue growth opportunities. Specialty Materials consists of the following five global businesses:
Dow Water and Process Solutions
Dow Water and Process Solutions develops cost-effective technologies for water purification, desalination and separation solutions for specialty applications. This business has the #1 position in reverse osmosis membranes and ion exchange resins. It is positioned to address rapidly rising demand for clean water due to increasing global population and urbanization. Adding to its 11 sites, Dow Water and Process Solutions is currently constructing its Water Technology Development Center in Tarragona, Spain, and is involved with KAUST to jointly design a state-of-the-art R&D Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The center, a key component of the business' aggressive growth objectives, is designed to accelerate the commercialization of Dow's water treatment technologies, which help enable the production of clean drinking water from various water sources, including seawater.
Key Growth Opportunities
By 2015, five billion people will live in areas of significant water stress. Dow Water and Process Solutions' addressable market is projected to double by 2020.
Dow Wolff Cellulosics
Dow Wolff Cellulosics is the largest producer with the broadest product offering for both regulated and non-regulated cellulosic applications with an established leadership position in cellulose ethers and related chemistries. This business provides high-performance cellulose ethers as well as companion chemistries. Its technologies are used in formulations across a broad variety of regulated and industrial applications, geographies and market segments, including: food and nutrition, pharmaceuticals and other specialty industrial applications. With its global manufacturing base (9 sites, 15 facilities), Dow Wolff Cellulosics has the most customer appealing asset footprint among its competitors providing a broad portfolio of technologies.
Dow Home and Personal Care
Dow Home and Personal Care markets a broad range of technology-based solutions for a variety of end-use applications sold into household, institutional, and personal care markets around the world. This business brings extensive application capabilities, market insights, innovative technologies, and sustainable solutions that enable our customers to meet and anticipate consumer needs. Combined with access to Dow's global manufacturing base, technical centers in the U.S., India, Singapore and China, and a rich innovation pipeline, the business is poised to both address and deliver solutions for key societal trends and the continued demand for wellness and convenience.
Performance Materials
Performance Materials brings together a number of specialty businesses that are active in a broad array of markets with a diverse offering of very unique products used as performance enhancers, process aids, intermediates, catalysts and additives. These include ANGUS™ Chemical and PRIMENE™ specialty amines for paint, metal working fluids, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, personal care, fuel additives and lubricants; and Sodium Borohydride and Acima Specialty Chemicals products for bleaching, new energy and polyurethane foam applications. Also part of this group is Specialty Polymers – with acrolein derivatives, divinylbenzene, quaternaries and hydrocarbon resins. The Performance Materials businesses deliver original, customized solutions with unique chemistries that position customers for success. These product families have strong market recognition and a differentiated position across multiple application segments.
Dow Microbial Control
Dow Microbial Control has the #1 position in specialty biocides and offers the most complete portfolio of antimicrobial solutions globally – including products and specialty formulated products – that can deliver unmatched solutions and expertise and sustainable products for process and materials preservation as well as hygiene and infection control benefits in a wide variety of industry segments. Dow Microbial Control's value creation and competitive advantage ultimately come from its intellectual property estate, leveraging its regulatory positions and know-how, as well as its established portfolio of offerings including formulations, antimicrobial control expertise, microbiological methodology, formulation science and products delivery.
Key R&D Innovations
- DOW FILMTEC™ BW30HR-440i and BW30XFR-400/34i – allow demineralization and other water treatment systems to operate more consistently and with less cleaning and maintenance.
- Metal-Free Floor Polish – Zinc-free polymer meets green labeling requirements and delivers a high-gloss finish equal to conventional floor polish polymers.
- SatinFX™ Delivery System – Enables simple and cost-effective way to encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic active ingredients without specialized equipment.
- VINYZENE™ IT 3020 CPF Antimicrobial and VINYZENE™ IT 4008 CPF Antimicrobial – Phthalate-free antimicrobial additives protecting long term against fungal attack, preventing staining and embrittlement plus improving color stability.
- METHOCEL™ gluten replacement – Plant-based food ingredient that mimics the water-absorbing capacity of gluten, making the handling of gluten-free batters and dough easier and more consistent and allowing manufacturers to make gluten-free products without having to compromise on taste or texture.
Elements of Market Success and Profitability
- Intimate understanding of current and future customer needs
- Identification and deep understanding of opportunities in high-value market segments
- Market-driven innovation based on unique chemistries and technologies
- Leading positions in multiple industries and end-markets experiencing high growth driven by key global megatrends
- Rich innovation pipeline with multiple opportunities for cross-fertilization