Three fold expansion by Dow Chemicals for ENLIGHT™ films in Thailand and Germany

06-Aug-11

The Dow Chemical Company announced its plan for addition in the capacity for its ENLIGHT™ Polyolefin Encapsulant Films in Map Ta Phut, Thailand and Schkopau, Germany in 2012. These films offer module stability and enhanced electrical performance better than traditional encapsulants, like ethylene vinyl acetate-based products. After the implementation of the plant, both the sites collectively, will be able to produce three times the company’s capacity of producing specialty films used in photovoltaic modules, and will significantly expand the Company's ability to supply encapsulant films worldwide. "Converting solar energy into an efficient source of electricity is an area of expertise Dow will continue to develop," says Brij Sinha, Global Market Manager for Photovoltaics, Performance Plastics. "Demand for photovoltaic modules has been growing at about 30 percent per year, and is expected to continue at this rate for the next several years." "The Schkopau facility will become part of one of Dow's most important sites in Europe," says Ralf Brinkmann, President of Dow in Germany. "Schkopau also happens to be nestled in the heart of Germany's 'solar valley.” "The Map Ta Phut operation will be built with the latest energy efficiency techniques and supports our strategy to further enhance and expand our presence in Thailand," says Jirasak Singmaneechai, Thailand Country Manager. He also noted that the Thailand site is Dow's largest manufacturing facility in the Asia-Pacific region, with excellent access to a seaport.