Chemicals manufacturer The Dow Chemical Company launched its first dedicated polyurethanes systems house in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, last month, which will serve as the hub to provide the sub-Saharan Africa region with tailor-made polyurethanes systems.

Dow global VP of polyurethanes Jonathan Penrice says these focused investments demonstrate a commitment to the industry in the region and an invitation to customers to grow with the company.

“Dow has been keeping a close eye on the sub-Saharan Africa region, and is well aware that the use of polyurethanes is increasing and that there’s a need to supply sophisticated and innovative products.”

He adds that the company is optimistic about its contribution to the growing South African economy through polyurethane innovations that impact positively on customers, markets and society.

“We believe that our differentiated solutions can help improve people’s lives everywhere,” Penrice says, adding that beneficiaries of the solutions include the furniture and bedding, construction, energy, refrigerated transportation and appliances industries that use polyurethane chemistry to improve product performance.

The company is expecting chemicals manufacturer Sadara, in the Middle East, to start supplying polyurethane building blocks next year.

The supply from Sadara will give sub-Saharan Africa access to more polyurethane materials needed to develop the construction, cold chain, furniture and bedding markets in the region.

“With Dow polyurethanes expanding its presence in South Africa, the region will have a growing sales team and more capabilities, as we now have a dedicated systems house at the Durban site,” Penrice adds.

He says the timing of the inauguration could not have been more perfect, as South Africa’s energy challenges continue to impact on the economy, businesses and households.

“The local need for more energy efficient houses and food transportation to conserve energy can be met using our global innovations tailored to local market needs,” says Dow poly- urethanes sub-Saharan Africa commercial leader Mohammed Sami.

He adds that the company is convinced that polyurethane solutions can make a difference and deliver solutions for challenges in sub- Saharan Africa, citing practical insulation materials for homes, buildings, refrigerated trucks and supermarket shelves that simultaneously reduce energy consumption and costs, as well as greenhouse-gas emissions, as an example.

Further, State-owned power utility Eskom supports insulation materials by encouraging the construction industry to build energy efficient homes.

“In its ‘Insulation in buildings: residential homes and commercial buildings’ report, Eskom states: “With electricity costs rising, energy efficiency is also becoming a priority for property and homeowners. An insulated room requires 51% less energy to heat up than one that isn’t.” Using polyurethanes as an insulation material will save costs for businesses and households,” notes Sami.

With the inauguration of the polyurethane systems house, Dow also celebrated its first production batch in August.

“Our new manufacturing capacity allows for the leveraging of global innovation locally. Customers are looking forward to bringing more comfortable, high-performing and energy efficient materials to a strategic growth market,” he concludes.