Dow Corning Increases Fluorosilicone Capacity to Ensure Reliable Long-Term Supply of Silastic® Brand Fluorosilicone Rubber
$16MM Investment Reflects Commitment to Rubber Industry
MIDLAND, Mich. (October 7, 2002)-Dow Corning has significantly increased its fluorosilicone capacity with the start up of a new specialty silicone intermediates plant at its manufacturing complex in Midland, Michigan. The $16MM capacity expansion supports increased demand for its Silastic® brand fluorosilicone rubber (FSR), and ensures reliable long-term supply.
The new plant is designed to produce fluorosilicone intermediates with increased purity that results in higher strength of finished fluorosilicone rubber products, while ensuring lot-to-lot consistency and superior FSR performance. Typical applications for Silastic® brand FSR include automotive and aerospace fuel sealing systems, fuel resistant electrical connectors, and sensing diaphrams for emission control systems, among other demanding applications.
"The capacity expansion reflects our commitment to the rubber industry," says Charles Olsen, global market specialist, Fluorosilicone Elastomers at Dow Corning. "We are now able to ensure uninterrupted Silastic FSR supply for critical and high-volume applications, such as intake manifold gaskets to meet LEV II emission requirements."
The manufacturing processes of the new plant decrease waste, significantly improve responsible ecological care, and increase lot-to-lot consistency through centralized computer control.
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