Dow continues to advance sustainable chemistry through new and enhanced products, processes and services.

Propylene oxide (PO) is a versatile chemical intermediate used in the production of raw materials for a wide range of industrial and commercial products, including polyurethanes, propylene glycols and glycol ethers.

Recently, Dow and BASF jointly developed a process to produce propylene oxide (PO) in a way that reduces environmental impact. The first facility is being constructed in Antwerp, Belgium and a second facility is to be built in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.

The result of this new technology is a reduction in waste water by more than 70 percent as well as reduced energy usage by 35 percent compared with PO process technologies in use today. The new process requires only hydrogen peroxide (HP) and propylene as raw materials, and produces only PO and water, thus avoiding the formation of co-products.

This technology is much less complicated than the way PO is currently made, and in addition to reducing water and energy use, the new process needs less land, plant infrastructure, and 25 percent less capital.

This is just one example of how the Human Element at Dow is contributing to more sustainable chemistry solutions; for more, please visit http://www.dow.com/commitments/studies/index.htm
 

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