The Dow Chemical Company plans to add its fifth propylene glycol plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, where it will implement the sustainable hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide (HPPO) technology developed jointly by Dow and BASF SE.
The HPPO plant, with a production capacity of up to 150 KTA, is being constructed as part of the integrated joint venture liquids cracker and derivatives project in Thailand with Siam Cement Group. The Thailand propylene glycol facility will use a safe, efficient and more environmentally friendly processes and will have the capability to provide the same glycol products that are produced in the company's other propylene glycol manufacturing facilities around the globe.
According to the company, the Thailand plant will enhance support to its customers in the Asia-Pacific region for a variety of product applications including pharmaceuticals, food, personal care and more. In addition, the advanced energy reduction and throughput optimization technology that was implemented at the company's propylene glycol site in Stade, Germany in September 2010 will also be implemented at the new Thailand propylene glycol facility.
Dow currently has a global propylene oxide capacity of more than 2,000 KTA and a global propylene glycol capacity of more than 700 KTA. The copmany currently has five propylene glycol manufacturing facilities—one in Germany, two facilities in North America, a facility in Brazil and another in Australia.