Dow to invest $300m in China silicones business

Zhangjiagang, China – Dow Inc. is investing $300 million (€270 million) in China over the next five years to expand capacity for differentiated silicones products.

The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone on 23 March to expand its manufacturing site in the region, the company said in a statement. 

The investment will see Dow further developing its silicone intermediates and downstream portfolio, ranging from silicone fluids to adhesives and sealants.

The move is in response to customer demand for “sustainable and differentiated” silicone products, especially in China and the Asia-Pacific region, said Mauro Gregorio, president of Dow Performance Materials & Coatings. 

The “low-risk, high-return investment” aims to support customers in industries such as mobility and transportation, building and infrastructure, electronics, and home and personal care, Gregorio added.

Meanwhile, Dow said it intended to share manufacturing best practices with local authorities to improve overall safety and environmental performance in the free trade zone.

“The MoU we are signing today is a testament to our long-standing commitment to growing alongside the city of Zhangjiagang and our partners in China,” said Yoke Loon Lim, president of Dow Greater China.