Dow strengths presence in paints
Valor Econômico
It is a paper with research data in laboratory, but it may look like a material for a scientific fiction movie. Dow, the largest chemical manufacturer of the United States, evaluates the result with success and expects to place in the market within the next years a "self-healing" paint with a mechanism of action that reconstitutes the original paint of a wall that undergoes minor risks. The news will be presented at the Abrafati, paint suppliers fair and international meeting of the sector, which starts today in São Paulo.
With the acquisition of the leader Rohm & Haas in the segment of inputs and raw materials for paints, Dow increased its participation to 6% of the global market, with sales of more than US$ 45 billion last year, strengthening its area of specialties. The purchase allowed joining the areas of production of acrylic emulsions, epoxy and additives, among others. Its clients are producers of decorative paints and industries in general.
In Brazil, Dow has a laboratory for development where it invests in studies of renewable raw materials and water-based solvents, explains José Magalhães Fernandes, Dow Coating Materials officer for the South Cone region. At the paint fair, the rival Rhodia will present an alcohol-based solvent that will start to be produced in Brazil for application in paints for printing.
In January, in order to meet the growing demand of the civil construction and industrial segments, like the car and the white line sectors, Dow concluded the construction of a new line in order to increase its productive capacity, in which it invested US$ 15 million in the plant of Jacareí (SP) that belonged to Rohm & Haas.
Another US$ 5 million were invested in new products in the South Cone. Dow still has an epoxy production unit that operates since the 1970's, in Guarujá (SP) and caters to other segments of the company. Added to the participation of Rohm & Haas, Dow owns 22% of the national market of acrylic emulsions, according to information presented to the antitrust Brazilian agency that analyzed the acquisition process.