Dow announces the successful inauguration of its state-of-the-art BLUEWAVE™ facility at the Dow Coating Materials site in Lauterbourg, France. The implementation of this new production line supports the transition to easier-to-recycle and less resource-intensive end-products in a wide variety of applications. This new facility marks a significant milestone in Dow's commitment to innovation and sustainability. In the presence of French government representatives and officials from the Grand-Est Region, members of the project team, employees, contractors and Dow’s European leadership, the facility was officially opened. Mr. Marc Ferracci, the French Minister of Industry and Energy, praised this milestone in a video message in which he stated: “Dow is an example of a company that has heavily invested in R&D; these investments are strategic for the future.”
The BLUEWAVE™ Technology and handling equipment for raw materials and finished products will allow Dow to expand the manufacturing capacity of dispersion barrier coatings that are used to create differentiated, innovative paper packaging options with an improved environmental profile. The launch of this new production line illustrates our commitment to meet the changing demands of the market, in particular those of paper packaging and adhesives. In addition to addressing an important market need and supporting Dow Coating Materials’ business investment growth strategy, this significant, multi-million-dollar investment delivers value for the local community through economic development and the creation of more than 20 new skilled jobs. "This new facility on our Lauterbourg site is a testament to Dow's commitment to innovation and sustainability. This state-of-the-art facility not only enhances our production capabilities but also drives economic growth in the region." said Jim Knaub, Senior Business Director Coatings & Performance Monomers
A key highlight of the BLUEWAVE™ facility is its focus on sustainability. The RHOBARR™ products manufactured at this facility are designed to support the transition to more sustainable paper and cardboard packaging. These products, used as coatings, allow a thin barrier layer to be applied to a substrate on the surface, thus preserving its integrity without reducing the recycling rate of that substrate. This improves the recyclability of primary and secondary packaging as well as adhesive products, whether food or non-food, compared to hard-to-recycle incumbents.
Our products will provide industrial solutions to the recyclability and sustainability objectives set by European legislation, in particular by the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and to the French’s ambitions in the circularity of packaging material (AGEC Law – Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy).
According to Fabrice Jerineck, Director of the Lauterbourg site: "It's a real blue wave that will sweep through our daily lives by transforming our use and recycling of the packaging we consume every day."
Lauterbourg was selected for this investment a few years ago, due to its strategic position in Alsace, a competitive region for project development thanks to its advanced infrastructure and industrial capabilities. With the subsidy granted by the Grand-Est Region and despite the challenging economic situation, coupled with high energy prices that the European chemical industry is facing, this new facility will allow us to grow in this sustainable segment.
"Between 2017 and 2024, Dow France has invested heavily to improve its production capacity and the environmental footprint of its various sites," concluded Jean-Michel Duplouis, President Dow France. "And the new BLUEWAVE™ production line helps strengthen our sustainability footprint in France and our commitment to the circular economy."
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