Dow has announced the start-up of a new MDI distillation and prepolymers facility at its manufacturing site in Freeport, Texas. According to the company, this investment optimizes Dow’s existing asset infrastructure and advances the company’s positions in attractive applications in automotive, construction, consumer, and industrial markets.
The new facility, which replaces Dow’s North America capacity in La Porte, Texas, will supply an additional 30% of product to Dow’s customers. In coordination with the start-up of the new MDI facility, Dow shut down its polyurethane assets at the La Porte site.
“The back integration at the Freeport site enhances operational flexibility and reliability and delivers a more sustainable production process ensuring that we are best positioned to support our customer needs and downstream growth,” says Jane Palmieri, president of Dow’s Industrial Intermediates and Infrastructure operating segment.
Dow says the new facility delivers a more sustainable production process by lowering the company’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing the amount of freshwater intake, and reducing the percentage of wastewater discharged annually.