Dow Formulated Systems begins wind blade production in Georgia

North America gets more accessible supply of wind blade technology starting July 1.

Dow Formulated Systems, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: Dow), today announced the completion of a new wind blade epoxy adhesive production plant in Roberta, Georgia. The plant, which includes a new reactor and production equipment, is fully dedicated to the wind sector and will be used to support the U.S. market as well as exports to China and Latin America. The plant is located at Dow’s existing Roberta, Georgia facilities, and should be fully operational by July 1, 2011.

Jean-Luc Guillaume, Global Business Leader for Wind Energy for Dow Formulated Systems, said the new plant is part of a global Dow network of production assets that supports customers with local sources for wind blade technology, providing additional supply security and simplified logistics. “We are one of the few blade adhesive suppliers with production in North America,” Guillaume said, adding that, “this investment demonstrates our strong commitment to the wind energy industry in North America and throughout the world.”

According to Guillaume, “Epoxy adhesives play a critical role in the fabrication, performance and durability of wind turbine blades where large substructures are bonded together to create the finished blades. Specialized properties are needed for adhesive mixing and application during the fabrication process and cured adhesives must exhibit high levels of toughness and durability to withstand the extreme loads a wind turbine blade is subjected to throughout its service life. 

Dow Formulated Systems continues to develop new adhesive systems to support advances in wind blade design, including the trend toward larger blades produced using technology that delivers weight-savings without loss of strength.  The addition of our new U.S. plant helps ensure that, as new adhesives are commercialized, the volume requirements of wind blade customers are met.”