Innovation and cost leadership shape Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers Transportation Business

Citation

(2010), "Innovation and cost leadership shape Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers Transportation Business", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 39 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2010.12939bab.032

Innovation and cost leadership shape Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers Transportation Business

Article Type: Industry news From: Pigment & Resin Technology, Volume 39, Issue 2

The Dow Chemical Company’s (NYSE:DOW) 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas brought with it unique resources and advanced technologies that have long supported innovative, new product development efforts of Tier Two and Three automotive and industrial parts manufacturers. Now, Dow believes that its expansive global supply chain and a strong position in worldwide elastomers supply will play an even greater role in cost leadership and innovation for many rubber-to-metal and interior trim bonding applications. Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers (AFP) Transportation Business portfolio is used for a wide variety of transportation and related industrial component products.

Richard Seltz, Dow AFP Transportation Business Global Marketing Manager explains, “The legacy Rohm and Haas adhesives business established superior rubber-to-metal bonding applications. Now advanced, next-generation automotive components that utilize silicones and other exotic elastomers to provide excellent heat resistance are coming to market. Consequently, we are developing bonding agents for these newer materials with a focus on helping our customers increase their productivity through easier-to-apply solutions. Across every market segment – from traditional underhood and seals applications, to aviation components, and even industrial tanker linings – Dow is leveraging the combined capabilities and resources of our company to bring value-creating solutions to market.”

While Rohm and Haas managed their business successfully on a regional basis, Dow plans to deploy efforts with a more global footprint that aligns the Company’s resources with expansion in China, Japan, and much of Southeast Asia. Seltz said, “Our customers are increasingly global, so it is only natural that we employ resources to meet our customers’ needs, regardless of where they manufacture their components. We are well underway with plans for expanded manufacturing capacity and new customer relationships in Greater China, along with local lab resources to support rubber bonding, auto trim and flocking businesses in both Japan and South Korea. These actions promise customers in these countries improvements to assist their expansion and growth objectives.”

Dow’s broad commitment should send encouraging signals to the global transportation industry. The company’s environmental sustainability, cutting-edge R&D and supply chain capabilities, along with legacy Rohm and Haas emphasis on innovation and close working relationships with automotive parts suppliers combine to make a powerful statement. “Our goal going forward is to achieve preferred supplier status globally,” said Seltz, who adds that customers should see immediate results in their contacts with Dow and Dow authorized adhesives distributors.

Dow AFP Transportation Business will participate in Rubber Expo, October 13-15 in Pittsburgh, PA, where the company will present a paper entitled “Development of Aqueous Bonding Agents.”

About Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers

Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers is a portfolio of three businesses – Packaging and Converting, Tape Labels and Textiles and Industrial Functional Polymers – primarily made of sticking and bonding solutions, serving the flexible packaging business, adhesive tapes and paper labels, and a mixed range of applications including auto, imaging and leather. Together these businesses offer an integrated technology platform with formulation capabilities and a capacity to serve tailored needs globally.

A business group within Dow’s Advanced Material Division, Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers generates $1 billion of revenue while operating a network of over 40 Technical, R&D and Manufacturing sites to serve local customer needs globally. For more information visit: www.rohmhaas.com

About Dow

With sales of $58 billion in 2008 and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008 and 15,000 employees worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at: www.dow.com