Dow invests in technology center in Jundiaí
Valor Econômico
Dow Brasil, American multinational of the sector of chemicals and plastic, announced the creation of a technology and market development center for the polyurethane (PU) and formulated systems. That center is installed in Jundiai (SP) and it demanded investments of nearly US$ 2 million, said Fernando Rodriguez, commercial officer of company in the country to Valor. "There, the company is already working in the development customized solutions for its customers", said Rodriguez.
The official inauguration of the technology center of Dow is scheduled for January 2011. That is the first integrated department of the multinational in Latin America. The intention is to promote the integration of those centers worldwide, thus allowing Dow to access new technologies and trends. Jundiaí will offer products, such as the preparation of pre-polymers, a simulation line for the production of flexible foams, development and preparation of prototypes for new products. One of the launches will be a polyurethane foam called Fresh Comfort, which will be used by the mattress industries - one of the key differentiators is the greater durability in relation to latex.
The polyurethane market is gaining more room in the country, expanding from its traditional applications such as car seats and foam mattresses, to become acoustic coatings in civil construction and also thermal insulators for refrigerators. "The car and furniture markets (manufacture of mattresses, for instance) are booming, but there are markets to be explored", he said.
With an eye on the potential of other sectors, Dow is preparing to develop products to meet the demand that is to come with the 2014 Brazilian World Cup and 2016 Olympics, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro. "It is possible to develop rigid and insulating foams for the civil construction and infrastructure sector". In the country, the company has two units dedicated to that area - the TDI (tolylene diisocyanate), one of the raw materials in the production of the polymer in Camaçari (BA), and polyols, another type of input, plant of Guarujá (SP).