• Significant advancement in water treatment component design expected
EDINA, MN, Mar. 2, 2009 -- Dow Water Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries, has started construction of its Water Technology Development Center at the Dow facilities in Tarragona, Spain. The center, a key component of Dow Water Solutions aggressive growth objectives, will include capabilities for application development and component testing, and is designed to accelerate the commercialization of Dow's water treatment technologies, which help to enable the production of clean drinking water from various water sources, including seawater.
"The provision of clean water is one of the most pressing challenges facing the global community in the 21st century," said Ian Barbour, general manager, Dow Water Solutions. "This new center represents an important step forward in our strategy to provide innovative, technology-based solutions to help address this issue." The new center reflects Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals, which pledge the company's commitment to achieving remarkable developments to help solve world challenges such as sustainable water supplies.
Dow is investing US$15 million in the center, which is expected to open in 2010 and employ 25 expert researchers. The Company has been granted subsidies from Spain's Ministry of Industry for the research programs conducted in this area, in line with the Spanish government's commitment to research and development, specifically in the field of sustainable water supplies. This project is part of a continuous investment program. Three years ago, the Company opened the global textile fibers center at the Tarragona site. Dow has also a European center for plastics development at the site.
The center's proximity to the Mediterranean will provide access to seawater, brackish water, municipal wastewater, and treated river water sources. By replicating real world operating conditions in large scale pilot plants, Dow Water Solutions will enhance its understanding of how to achieve the best performance and lowest operational costs for treating water. The center will further feature a state-of-the-art demonstration area showcasing Dow Water Solutions' excellent capabilities in water treatment technology to its customers.
"The Water Technology Development Center will help to provide great opportunities to advance the development of water treatment components, enabling for the success of our customers," said David Klanecky, global research and development director for Dow Water Solutions.
"This project is a breakthrough investment in water technology for Spain and it is highly recognized by authorities and perceived as strategic for the country. With it, Tarragona will serve as a research center for all Dow' s markets, becoming a center of reference for water purification worldwide," said Anton Valero, chairman and general country manager of Dow Chemical Ibérica.
Dow Water Solutions is a performance-based business unit comprised of leading world-class brands and enabling component technologies designed to advance the science of water purification around the world, including seawater desalination, contaminant removal and water reuse.
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