UCAR Emulsion Systems, a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has announced plans to invest in its North American manufacturing capability. This plan includes construction of a new facility at St. Charles Operations (Hahnville, LA) by Union Carbide Corp., as well as expected future investments in Alsip, IL, and Sarnia, Ontario. This capacity will replace existing manufacturing sites in Tucker, GA and Garland, TX, which will be shut down by Union Carbide Corp. in 2006. The plan calls for more than $100MM of investment over the next three years, with the primary investment being a next-generation latex facility in St. Charles. "This investment in UCAR Emulsion Systems and Dow's recent acquisition of the Celanese acrylates business represent a significant commitment to the paint and coatings industry," said Phil Cook, Dow's senior vice president for Performance Chemicals and Thermoset Products. The St. Charles facility will implement Dow's technology to deliver the productivity required to supply the coatings industry. "Paint and coatings customers are very demanding of suppliers," said Thayne Hansen, UES global business director. "This investment enables UES to significantly improve productivity and quality to thrive as a business in this environment."

For more information, contact Nadine Keutzer at (919) 469-6738 or keutzenw@dow.com .