Dow Europe Announces New PET Production Facility in Europe

23-Sep-2002

Horgen, Switzerland - 09/19/2002 - Dow Europe GmbH has announced the intention to build a second world scale PET production train at its integrated Buna Sow Leuna Olefinverbund site in Schkopau, Germany. After preliminary studies have been completed, construction work is expected to commence later this year and the plant is expected to come on-stream towards the end of 2004, following the granting of all necessary approvals and permits.

"The expansion of our PET production capabilities at Dow's Central Germany site is primarily driven by the growth of our customers and is consistent with Dow's global business strategy for value growth," says Romeo Kreinberg, business group president for Polyolefins & Elastomers. "This second, state-of-the-art train will supply the growing demand for our resins from existing customers, especially in Germany, while also supporting the fast PET growth in Central and Eastern Europe."

The Schkopau site is not only centrally positioned for this growing market, but is also home to Dow's Research & Development (R&D) center for PET. This, combined with the ValuePark* investment opportunities for Dow's customers, enables strong interaction throughout the value chain from development through production and processing. Dow will legally restructure the PET business in Schkopau to enable maximum flexibility between customers and Dow.

Upon completion, the new plant will have an annual production capacity of around 175 MMT (385 MM lbs), bringing Dow's total annual PET production capacity in Europe to over 500 MMT (1.1 Billion lbs). In addition to the site in Schkopau, Dow also has manufacturing sites for PET in Ottana and Pisticci, Italy.

"The Dow range of high quality PET products, marketed under the LIGHTERTM brand, includes special grades designed to meet the stricter requirements for bottling mineral water in Germany," notes Flavio Terruzzi, global business director for PET/PTA. "This full product range is just part of the broader Dow Plastics offering, which is one of the world's widest polymer portfolios."

"Dow will continue to work closely with an excellent mix of customers, investing in the products and facilities required to support them," he concludes. "The announcement of this new train at Schkopau is another step in our commitment to the PET industry."

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/14207/dow-europe-announces-new-pet-production-facility-in-europe.html