MIDLAND, Mich., Jan 04, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Dow Chemical Company /quotes/zigman/224698/quotes/nls/dow DOW +0.17% announced today that the SCG-Dow Group, a joint venture between Dow and Siam Cement Group, has finalized the start-up of its new propylene oxide (PO) facility in Thailand by successfully completing its full capacity performance test.

Dow reached a key milestone in October 2011 when the plant achieved stable production levels in preparation for the full capacity run scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011. The new facility met that target on time by successfully completing the full capacity run on November 22, 2011 -- only two months after starting raw material feeds to this new plant. Additionally, the plant exceeded expectations for all quality and yield performance parameters.

The world-scale plant, located within the Asia Industrial Estates (AIE) site near Map Ta Phut, Thailand, has a name plate capacity of 390 kilotons per annum (KTA) of PO via the innovative hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide (HPPO) technology.

"The successful start-up of this environmentally advanced and complex technology shows the innovation power, project execution and operational strength of Dow," said Holger Baer, global manufacturing and technology director, Dow Propylene Oxide/Propylene Glycol.

"Dow's investment in this new facility strategically enhances its existing position as the global capacity leader in PO and better positions its derivative businesses such as Polyurethanes and Propylene Glycol," said Steven English, global vice president, Dow Polyurethanes. "As a global strategic source point, Dow can better serve customers of these life-enhancing industries in Asia and beyond."

"Despite some anticipated challenges, the commitment of people from various functions has delivered a successful project. This HPPO plant will add value to propylene from the joint venture cracker in Thailand," said Cholanat Yanaranop, President of SCG Chemicals Company Limited.

About Dow Polyurethanes

Dow is the world's largest producer of propylene oxide (PO), propylene glycol (PG), and polyether polyols, and is a leading producer of quality aromatic isocyanates, such as MDI and TDI. Dow's polyurethane products enhance a broad range of applications including construction, automotive, furniture, bedding, appliance, decorative molding, athletic equipment and more. The business provides key ingredients, systems and solutions for rigid, semi-rigid and flexible foams, adhesives, sealants, coatings, elastomers and binders. VORANOL(TM) VORACTIV(TM) polyols exemplify Dow's ongoing initiative to lead the industry in providing high-performance products that meet critical consumer needs. For more information, visit www.dowpolyurethanes.com , www.dowpg.com , www.dowpo.com and www.voractiv.com .

About Dow

Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. 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 .

About SCG

SCG, established in 1913, is publicly listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. SCG is one of ASEAN leading conglomerates, comprises five core businesses: chemicals, cement, paper, building materials, and distribution. Altogether, there are over 200 companies within the group, which collectively employ more than 34,000 employees, and manufacture more than 64,000 products.