Dow focuses on the long-term development in China, constantly improving local production and R&D capabilities, cultivating global talents, and is committed to building regional business into one of Dow's global business centers.
Dow has established a world-class production plant for latex, epoxy products and polystyrene in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province. A new propylene oxide alcohol ether production plant was also put into operation in June 2009. In March 2009, Dow's epoxy products business department established its first production plant in Wuhan to meet the growing market demand for composite materials, wind energy and infrastructure.
Dow cooperates with Shenhua Group, the largest coal enterprise in China, and plans to establish a joint venture company in Yulin City, Shaanxi Province to build and operate a world-class integrated coal chemical project. The two sides are actively preparing supporting documents for all aspects of the project and submitting them to the relevant state departments for approval.
Dow Center, located in Zhangjiang High-tech Park in Shanghai, was put into use in June 2009. It is Dow's business and innovation center in the Asia-Pacific region and Dow's largest comprehensive R&D center, which brings together R&D expertise and market-oriented application development strength. 500 top scientists and engineers have cooperated in more than 80 comprehensive laboratories in Qixin, enabling us to base ourselves on the local market and meet the needs of customers.
Dow Chemical is the exclusive sponsor of chemistry and materials science in the USA Pavilion of the 20 10 Shanghai World Expo. Dow will provide all-round support for this World Expo, including providing environmental protection products and solutions for the US Pavilion and other World Expo construction projects, demonstrating cutting-edge technologies in the US Pavilion, and continuing to provide volunteer services for Expo-related projects.
As a leader of sustainable development, Dow has been selected into the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for nine times and enjoys a high reputation in the world. Dow also insists on advocating sustainable development in China, and has taken a series of positive measures, including maintaining first-class environmental, health and safety performance, providing innovative environmental protection products, creating cooperation opportunities to change the face of the industry, and constantly promoting higher standards of sustainable development.
As the core production base of Dow in China, Dow Zhangjiagang Factory always implements the concept of sustainable development. In recognition of its outstanding performance in promoting safe and clean production, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China awarded it the honorary title of "National Environmental Friendly Enterprise" in 2006.
In September 2008, Dow Chemical launched a two-year project with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China and the United Nations Environment Programme to promote chemical safety and emergency preparedness in China chemical industry. In 2006, Dow Chemical cooperated with the State Administration of Work Safety to launch a three-year demonstration cooperation project on safety management of hazardous chemicals. Dow also cooperated with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China in 2005 to launch a four-year cleaner production demonstration project. Both projects have achieved remarkable economic and environmental benefits. In addition, Dow is cooperating with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Energy Research Institute of National Development and Reform Commission to help small and medium-sized enterprises in China improve their energy efficiency. The project will formulate policies with the central and provincial governments to promote enterprises to achieve energy-saving goals.