Buchs, Switzerland - June 09, 2010
Dow Microbial Control customers in Europe will have access to state-of-the-art testing laboratories and innovative formulations that adhere to local regulatory requirements following today's grand opening of the Dow Microbial Control Customer Application Center (CAC) and Research and Development (R&D) Center of Excellence in Buchs, Switzerland.
Key representatives, including Axel Schnuch, chairman of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) in Germany; Patrick Schwarzentruber, head of research and development microbiology at Omya Development AG; and Peter Askew, a microbiologist at Industrial Microbiological Services, will be on-site to mark the occasion through speaking opportunities that will cover the latest trends and techniques for using biocides across a variety of applications.
“Dow Microbial Control continues to deliver on our commitment to providing customers access to global leadership and resources at the local level,” said Mark Henning, general manager, Dow Microbial Control. “Our facility in Buchs guarantees our customers will have local access to the best microbial control solutions available on the market.”
Through a sizable investment from Dow Microbial Control, a business group of Dow Chemical, the Buchs facility has undergone a series of upgrades that build on the existing formulation capabilities available from the Rohm and Haas acquisition, making it the premiere microbiology laboratory in Europe. Additionally, the facility's unique capabilities include TAUNOVATE™ technology, which allows customers to test for a wide spectrum of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, providing them with the insights required to create eco-label compliant and sustainable solutions.
"We welcome the opening of the Dow Microbial Control customer application center in Buchs,” said Federico Pacini, associate microbiologist at Reckitt Benckiser Italia SpA. “The facility will not only play a major role in supporting innovative technologies to enable preservation, but will also provide the infrastructure and experience required to really improve global products for microbial quality and help solve microbial-related process issues.”
The world-class facility supports customers throughout Europe by offering on-site Dow Microbial Control application experts, who have unparalleled regional experience in developing antimicrobial solutions for products and systems. Also, the R&D Center of Excellence will serve the business globally, providing a platform for product innovation while enabling R&D staff to explore local opportunities and conduct strategic research with universities and other organizations focused on pursuing technological development. Customers will have the necessary knowledge, technology and resources to adjust quickly to changing market demands.
“While microbial control is a global science, its application depends on local regulations and conditions such as water quality,” said Per Westin, regional commercial manager - Europe, Dow Microbial Control. “We are experiencing strong demand for biocides and beyond in Europe, and the Buchs facility affirms our commitment to providing tailored services and offering the most innovative products and technologies available to address customer needs.”
A result of Dow's 2009 acquisition of Rohm & Haas, Dow Microbial Control is the combination of the world's two foremost biocide companies: Dow Biocides and Rohm and Haas Advanced Materials. It is the leader in microbial control across numerous markets - including gas and oil, industrial water treatment, marine anti-fouling, personal care, and paints and coatings - and provides the highest performing, most sustainable portfolio of products available in the industry.
About Dow Microbial Control
Dow Microbial Control innovates with science and technology to provide long-term viable and sustainable microbial control. Our comprehensive global offering provides everything customers need to optimize formulations, including the highest performing and best supported portfolio of registered actives and products. With world-class people organization-wide and the only complete portfolio of microbial control technologies, Dow Microbial Control can solve any microbial control problem. From specialty to highly regulated and non-regulated, the company has the expertise and essentials for sustainable microbial protection for all products and processes. Ask more of us and visit www.DowMicrobialControl.com.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
For Editorial Information:
Dwayne J. Roark
Global Business Communications Leader, Dow Microbial Control
+1 847 808 3771
Walter Bruderer
GolinHarris for Dow Microbial Control
+41 (0)79 510 09 16
