Communicator

Dow Polyurethane Technologies

January 30, 2025 | Midland, Michigan (Dow Inc.)

Dow, a global chemical giant, has initiated a comprehensive review of its European assets, focusing primarily on its polyurethane business. This decision comes as the company navigates persistent economic challenges and a complex regulatory environment in the region.

The review will assess the competitiveness of key facilities producing methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), propylene oxide, and polyether polyols—assets that generated approximately $2.9 billion in annual sales in 2023. Dow aims to optimize value through its "best-owner" strategy, with plans to complete the evaluation by mid-2025.

Jim Fitterling, CEO of Dow, emphasized the importance of adapting to market conditions while maintaining a value-driven approach. He noted that selling assets rather than closing them could align better with the company's long-term objectives.

This move reflects broader industry trends as other chemical companies reevaluate their European operations due to high production costs and stringent regulations.

Despite these challenges, Dow remains committed to strengthening its global portfolio while addressing regional complexities, reporting stable performance globally with its third-quarter 2024 sales rising modestly by 1%.

#dow  #chemicals  #polyurethane  #polyols  #mdi  #europe  #assets 

LyondellBasell today announced the formal launch of a strategic review of the European assets of its Olefins & Polyolefins and Intermediates & Derivatives business units. The assessment will evaluate the assets through the lens of the company's strategy to Grow & Upgrade the Core, Build a Profitable Circular and Low Carbon Solutions Business, and Step Up Performance & Culture.

"At the 2023 Capital Markets Day, we stated our intent to concentrate our portfolio around businesses with long-lasting competitive advantage and to reinvest around those advantaged areas generating superior returns at meaningful scale," said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell chief executive officer. "These criteria have not changed."

The company's investments in a commercial-scale MoReTec plant, LyondellBasell's proprietary technology to convert plastic waste into liquid raw materials, and the development of a circularity hub in the Cologne, Germany region will continue as planned. LyondellBasell will also continue to invest and leverage its differential technology position as a key enabler to grow and upgrade the core asset base.

"The company will prioritize its investments to align operations with our circularity and net zero ambitions," Vanacker added. "We understand that strategic assessments can create uncertainty for our employees and customers, but we are committed to operate our assets safely and reliably throughout this process."

Source: LyondellBasell Corporate & Financial News, 8^th May 2024

#olefins #polyolefins  #europe  #assets  #circularity  #netzero  #plasticwaste 

Corrosion can come in many ways. Identifying the root cause is primordial in order to select better materials or suppliers.

Here is a short article on such a case: Cold water pipes

#corrosion #rootcause #expert  #asset  #integrity