Dow Increases PG Capacity at Stade Plant by 10 KTA During Routine Maintenance
The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) has increased its propylene glycol (PG) capacity by an additional 10 kilotons per annum (KTA), at its Stade, Germany plant after completion of equipment optimization during scheduled routine maintenance.
“Dow is a PG industry leader in Europe,” said Vincent Lacoste, PG product manager. “Not only does this capacity increase advance Dow’s position to meet the growing demand for PG in Europe and across the globe, but it also brings additional support for de-icing demand during the winter months, after an industry shortage during the 2010-2011 winter season.”
This capacity increase follows last year’s implementation of an advanced energy and technology optimization project, during planned maintenance, which resulted in a large scale expansion, completed in August 2010.
Resulting from an optimization of existing equipment without altering the PG production process, the capacity increase has raised the plant’s propylene glycol nameplate capacity to approximately 280 KTA. After carefully evaluating the change by comparison of pre- and post- change analytical data for the pharmaceutical grade product Propylene Glycol USP/EP based on IPEC Americas Significant Change Guide for Bulk Pharmaceutical Excipients 2009, Dow has deemed this change to be considered minor and, therefore, treated as a “level one” change.
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