Jun 4 2008
Dow Corning Corporation, a global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, celebrated the 10th anniversary of its operation in Songjiang, Shanghai. Nearly 200 Dow Corning customers, business partners, government officials, national and local media as well as Dow Corning’s employees attended the celebration ceremony.
The Dow Corning (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. in Songjiang was built in 1997 in the Songjiang Industrial Zone, Shanghai, as Dow Corning’s first manufacturing plant in China. Since then, the company has made significant and ongoing investments in the Songjiang facility. In addition to the manufacturing capability, other major investments made at the site include
- Research and Development facilities, which support Dow Corning’s Science and Technology base in China
- The China Application Center which provides silicone application engineering, product development and process engineering services.
- A Technical Information Center which serves customers throughout Asia. It brings additional technical service to the market and to customers by providing application design and troubleshooting services, product recommendations, technical literature, documentation, and distributor referrals.
“China is, and will continue to be, one of the major markets for Dow Corning. It is an engine for our future growth,” explained Tom Cook, Dow Corning’s Corporate Vice President, Asia Area Vice President and Greater China President. “We have been doing business in China for more than 30 years and to date, Dow Corning has invested over US$470 millions in China to build and improve our infrastructure in order to serve customers locally. Our goal here is to provide the China market with ‘Made in China’ products, while meeting customers’ needs exactly.”
The 12-hectare Songjiang site is seamlessly integrated with Dow Corning’s world-class manufacturing site in Zhangjiagang, which includes the largest siloxane plant where Dow Corning invested of USD600 million together with its JV partner, as well as the company’s own downstream finishing plants.
“Silicones have the potential to enhance, transform and create a better quality of life for people. Dow Corning is strongly committed to the development, production and application of this fascinating material to benefit everyone, everywhere.” said Tim Dyste, Dow Corning Songjiang site manager, “Available in a wide range of forms, such as emulsions, amino polymers, solvent based coating, electronic grade encapsulants and adhesives, the silicone products manufactured in our Songjiang Site have been widely used in several key industries in China, including Electronics, Paper, Coatings, Beauty and Personal Care. “
Generally speaking, silicones are pioneering more ways to advance our lifestyle in the electronics age. Cell phones, wireless computers and smart cards are all manufactured with silicones. Silicone-based technology enables high-performance material for today’s increasingly diverse and demanding electronics and electrical applications. Silicones seal and protect highly sensitive circuits, semiconductors and devices from heat, contamination and accidental damage and help ensure continuity of electrical supply.
Silicones are also an important element in applications designed for personal care and household products. They help ensure that products retain their quality and effectiveness long after purchase. They offer performance-enhancing features for personal care products we use every day, ranging from color cosmetics and sun protection creams to hair care products and antiperspirants. Other examples of silicone use are in household products such as laundry detergents, fabric softeners, kitchen and bathroom cleansers, polishes and waxes. These products are gentle, effective and aesthetically appealing because of silicones.