Dow Europe, the Swiss based European division of the global chemicals group, has said that it intends to build a second world scale PET production facility 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, after which the plant should come on-stream towards the end of 2004, following the granting of the 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," said 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 company said that the Schkopau site was well positioned for this growing market in Europe, adding that it was also home to Dow's Research & Development (R&D) centre for PET. This, combined with the up to date facilities of the ValuePark industrial units where the plant is located, provides what the company believes to be strong investment opportunities for its customers. 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 PET products, marketed under the Lightertm brand, includes special grades designed to meet the stricter requirements for bottling mineral water in Germany," said 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. The announcement of this new train at Schkopau is another step in our commitment to the PET industry," he concluded.
Dow is a leading science and technology company that provides chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $28 billion (€28.6bn), the company serves customers in more than 170 countries and employs a 50,000 workforce.