Dow Chemical has started up a new 200,000 t/y polyether polyols plant at Map Ta Phut, Thailand.

The facility using DMC catalyst technology will join a propylene glycol plant opened earlier at the integrated Thai site. Together, the two production units will provide a captive outlet for propylene oxide produced there.

Start-up of the polyols plant completes Dow's site integration model and further strengthens its presence in Asia-Pacific, said Peter Sykes, president of Dow Asia Pacific. In view of the rapid market growth in the region, the US chemical giant is constantly striving to meet evolving market needs while identifying new ways to accelerate its own growth, he remarked.

Through the use of "cutting-edge technologies," facilities such as these can reduce their energy consumption and waste water generation by 50-70% and eliminate 100% of solid waste, said Jirasak Singmaneechai, managing director of Dow Thailand.

Dow recently expanded its global polyols capacity through debottlenecking at Freeport, Texas, in autumn 2014. In 2016, the group plans to bring on stream a new 390,000 t/y polyether polyols plant at its Sadara joint venture with Saudi Aramco.