Dow said a recently completed round of capital investments in 2021 — spanning North America, Asia and Europe — had been used to address "demands for novel technologies" within the mobility and transportation industry.
As a result, the company expanded its fluorosilicate rubber capabilities with the installation of a new gum mixer in Midland.
In Zhangjiagang, China, a new liquid silicone rubber mixer was added while investments were also made in a pair of new mixers for thermally conductive technologies at Songjiang.
To further support the high demand for electric vehicles in Europe, a new mixer for thermally conductive technologies was installed in Wiesbaden, Germany.
"The mobility and transportation industry is undergoing its biggest evolution in more than 100 years, and we're proud to play a role in driving the industry forward," said Jeroen Bello, global marketing director for mobility and transportation, Dow Consumer Solutions.
In addition to the mobility segment, Dow also has signaled plans to expand its silicone capabilities within its materials and coatings business.
In its 2021 annual report earlier in the year, Dow said it was expanding capacity in formulated solutions for coatings and silicones through "incremental debottlenecking projects."
Furthermore, the company said it completed a turnaround at its siloxane facility in China in the fourth quarter of last year.
This, Dow said, allows the company to "take advantage of tight global market conditions as silicon metal supplies improve and energy curtailments in China continue to ease."
The supplier is also executing a turnaround at its methacrylates facility in Deer Park, Texas, and expects a $25 million net tailwind in the first quarter of 2022 from the two turnarounds projects.
