PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers, part of The Dow Chemical Company DOW, will participate in the upcoming Photovoltaic Solar Energy Exhibition in Hamburg, Germany, September 21-24, 2009. The Company anticipates intense interest in its high-performance adhesives that meet the fast-evolving requirements for newer backsheet applications. “We’ll display our Adcote™ adhesives and provide attendees with results of our work on solventless adhesives for backsheet applications,” says B.K.Sethuram, global business manager for Dow’s Industrial Laminating and Thermal Technologies, noting that Dow is a leading global supplier of adhesives for photovoltaics and a pioneer in environmentally advanced technologies. “We look forward to discussing Dow’s unique contributions including our adhesives’ unparalleled performance on newer backsheet substrates, as well as game-changing innovations in materials such as liquid encapsulants for solar cells.” Dow dovetails its services and products to fit this exceptionally dynamic industry devoted to harnessing a seemingly limitless energy source: the sun, which sends more energy in one hour than is used annually across the globe.
The PV industry has experienced strong growth in recent years, as it expands its manufacturing base to new regions and continuously implements new technology. For example, manufacturers responded to recent PVF backsheet film shortages by immediately adopting new lamination structures. While such substrates can be difficult to adhere, advanced adhesives such as Adcote, which has proven durability in solar energy applications, was found to offer sustainable features essential to long-term backsheet success: extended durability, resistance to adverse weather conditions, strong bonds on a wide range of challenging substrates, plus flexibility for extreme temperature changes and lightfastness. The company also plans to offer a high-performance 100 percent solids, solventless adhesive option soon, further advancing the environmental performance of solar modules.
Dow commits substantial investment to the entire PV value chain, expecting broad governmental incentives like renewable energy targets, rebate programs, tax credits, sustainable building regulations and feed-in tariffs to boost the already exploding PV and solar energy markets. The Company participates in every part of these markets, developing materials for backsheets, films, solar cells and panels. This involvement, explains Sethuram, is crucial for grid-connected photovoltaic customers as well as for off-grid electricity producers in developing countries. Solar technology today operates in 81 countries, yet two billion people still lack electrical access and PV technology is the least expensive option for most.
“We’re continuously innovating to help customers improve conversion efficiencies, reduce cost per watt of electricity, achieve grid parity and extend solar module longevity,” said Edward C. Greer, business development and commercialization manager for Dow Emerging Technologies. “We look forward to discussing some of our exciting R&D efforts like a revolutionary liquid encapsulant system to seal and protect PV systems.”
Dow offers resources like timely on-site assistance anywhere in the world, and the Company’s pilot coaters help customers efficiently build, test and scale up new lamination processes. Sethuram notes that such resources also evaluate cost-saving measures that the industry is exploring. The company is planning to meet high PV demand in Asia with its new Shanghai Dow Center. China has one of the largest PV manufacturing concentrations in the world and Japan is among the top three countries for installed PV capacity. Learn more at go.rohmhaas.com/DowPVAdhesives.
About Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers
Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers is a portfolio of three businesses - Packaging and Converting, Tape Labels and Textiles and Industrial Functional Polymers - primarily made of sticking and bonding solutions, serving the flexible packaging business, adhesive tapes and paper labels, and a mixed range of applications including auto, imaging & leather. Together these businesses offer an integrated technology platform with formulation capabilities and a capacity to serve tailored needs globally.
A business group within Dow’s Advanced Material Division, Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers generates $1B of revenue while operating a network of over 40 Technical, R&D and Manufacturing sites to serve local customer needs globally. For more information visit www.rohmhaas.com.
About Dow
With sales of $58 billion in 2008 and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008 and 15,000 employees worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com
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For editorial information:
Dow AFP, Industrial Laminating and Thermal Technologies
B.K.Sethuram
phone: +662 6612400
bsethuram@rohmhaas.com
or
Dow Public Affairs
Nollaig Forrest
Phone: + 41 21 805 90 30
nollaigforrest@rohmhaas.com