Dow Chemical 

Name: Dow Chemical Company 

Address: Dow Center  City: Midland  

State: Mich.  Employees: 50,000  

  Products: Science & Technology 

   The Dow Chemical Company will invest $1 billion in research and development in 2002, two thirds of which will be invested for inventing new products and materials. Through this investment Dow is helping invent the future of materials science and the plastics industry. Recent commercial introductions of Inspire Performance Polymers, Strandfoam polypropylene, and SiLK Semiconducting Dielectric resin are evidence that Dow is using its R&D know-how to stay on the cutting edge of material science innovation.

   Researchers at Dow envision new materials designed at the molecular level ranging from new polymer applications to materials like performance polymers and new intelligent materials like light emitting diodes. These products are for the packaging, electronics and biotechnology industries. These technologies will act as the catalysts for Dow as it continues developing capabilities that offer value added solutions to customers. In addition to traditional product sales, Dow is capturing more value by going downstream in the value chain through partnerships and alliances, new technology licenses, and other, alternate business models.

   “We see development of capabilities in polymer design, polymer applications, and advanced polymer processing as a way for Dow and its customers to create value,” says Kurt Swogger, vice president of research and development for Dow polyolefins. “As a science and technology company, Dow is working on multiple chemistry and material science fronts to bring unique solutions to market.” Strandfoam and Inspire Performance Polymers (which were recent, separate, R&D-100 Award winners) are a recognition of that ambition.”

   More products are in the pipeline. For example, automotive parts made from a conductive polymer can be painted much more efficiently and thus are less costly than panels painted using traditional methods. This system is currently under development. Dow is also working on other systems using multilayer fabrications of smart materials, bio-materials, and new chemistries which address issues like down weighting of cars.

    “We envision a continual string of new products and technologies launched into the marketplace based on these concepts,” says Swogger.

   At the same time, the existing products and technology are the focus for lowering costs through improved manufacturing processes and better service models. “We call this perfecting the known,” said Swogger. “And we are using capabilities like Six Sigma to reduce manufacturing costs, cycle times, and generally enhance the value of our products.”

   The continued development of new capabilities which are valued by the market, balanced with improving existing products and processes, is the essence of the Dow R&D plan to maintain its leading position in a host of present and future product and technology offerings.

   Dow is a leading science and technology company that provides innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $30 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 170 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its approximately 50,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities.