Plastics News: Dow Introduces Online Performance Tool to Quantify Savings with NORDEL™ MG

Dow Introduces Online Performance Tool to Quantify Savings with NORDEL™ MG

Economic Model Illustrates Cost Benefits Achieved with a Total System Approach

Midland, MI - October 14, 2008

Dow Elastomers, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), and a manufacturer of NORDEL™ MG Hydrocarbon Rubber, announces the availability of its Performance Tool, an economic calculator customers can use to quantify potential cost benefits of using NORDEL MG products versus other EPDM elastomers in extrusion profiles.

“Dow’s Performance Tool illustrates to customers that looking at enhanced performance and total system cost is a better approach to material selection than strictly considering the per-pound price. The distinct design and properties of NORDEL MG can significantly reduce the overall system cost, which is a real benefit in these unstable times,” said Dr. Tim Clayfield, global technology leader for NORDEL at Dow. “The total system costs can be up to 10 percent lower using NORDEL MG compared to standard bale materials because of various advantages across all the production steps.”

The performance tool, available on the NORDEL™ Hydrocarbon Rubber web page at www.dow.com/elastomers/products/nordel_performance_tool.htm, enables customers to input the type and price of the incumbent elastomer in use, the desired tensile strength, and to calculate the potential cost benefits of switching to NORDEL™ MG. It is based on a detailed model of the typical unit cost operations involved in producing a certain amount of extrusion profiles per year.

“Our new holistic approach of calculating numeric values across all processing steps – compounding, mixing and extrusion – clearly received a lot of attention from our customers, and underlines that NORDEL MG is more than just a product – it is a solution,” says Manfred Holzleg, global marketing manager for thermoset elastomers at Dow.

Since acquiring NORDEL MG in 2005, Dow has used its material science and manufacturing expertise – and proprietary metallocene technology – to significantly advance product quality and performance.

The result – NORDEL MG, the first gas-phase EPDM product, provides unmatched processing economics and lowest total system cost as well as value through product performance. NORDEL MG:

• Allows polymers with a Mooney viscosity greater than 100 without oil extension to be easily mixed for greater mixer or processor flexibility and reduced energy consumption and compound costs.
• Can lower the mixing time by up to 30 percent.
• Decreases energy of mixing by eliminating the bale breakdown step and decreasing cycle time.
• Increases plant throughput by raising mixer load factor and decreasing cycle time.
• Increases productivity and yield due to processing consistency and scrap reduction.
• Offers rubber compounders and processors the potential for bulk handling and continuous compounding.
• Provides better control and precision that yields fewer blemishes, defects and rejects.

NORDEL MG products can be modified and combined to exhibit a wide range of physical characteristics in a variety of automotive applications, including weather-stripping, hosing, oil viscosity modifiers, sound dampening sheets and molded parts. Non-automotive applications include roofing membranes, flooring, building profiles, cable jacketing, general-purpose gaskets and plastics modification, among many others.

The cost and performance benefits of NORDEL MG are a great example of how the Human Element at Dow brings chemistry and humanity together for the betterment of the world and the Company’s business. Dow has a remarkable history of product and technical innovations that enhance life for everyone, everywhere. The Company is also driving innovation outside the laboratory in areas like sustainability, joint-venturing, supply chain, finance, operations, safety and others that are setting the stage for growth in the 21st century.

For more information about NORDEL MG and the Performance Tool, please visit www.dowelastomers.com.

About Dow

®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

For Editorial Information:

Nancy Lamb
The Dow Chemical Company
989-638-7251

Urszula Murphy
Gibbs & Soell
+1-212-697-2600 ext 1296
umurphy@gibbs-soell.com

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Asia-Pacific Europe, Middle East and Africa Latin America Español Português North America About Dow's Plastics Portfolio News Center Related Plastics Sites Joint Ventures Medical Policy Plastics Home	Dow Introduces Online Performance Tool to Quantify Savings with NORDEL™ MG Economic Model Illustrates Cost Benefits Achieved with a Total System Approach Midland, MI - October 14, 2008 Dow Elastomers, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), and a manufacturer of NORDEL™ MG Hydrocarbon Rubber, announces the availability of its Performance Tool, an economic calculator customers can use to quantify potential cost benefits of using NORDEL MG products versus other EPDM elastomers in extrusion profiles. “Dow’s Performance Tool illustrates to customers that looking at enhanced performance and total system cost is a better approach to material selection than strictly considering the per-pound price. The distinct design and properties of NORDEL MG can significantly reduce the overall system cost, which is a real benefit in these unstable times,” said Dr. Tim Clayfield, global technology leader for NORDEL at Dow. “The total system costs can be up to 10 percent lower using NORDEL MG compared to standard bale materials because of various advantages across all the production steps.” The performance tool, available on the NORDEL™ Hydrocarbon Rubber web page at www.dow.com/elastomers/products/nordel_performance_tool.htm, enables customers to input the type and price of the incumbent elastomer in use, the desired tensile strength, and to calculate the potential cost benefits of switching to NORDEL™ MG. It is based on a detailed model of the typical unit cost operations involved in producing a certain amount of extrusion profiles per year. “Our new holistic approach of calculating numeric values across all processing steps – compounding, mixing and extrusion – clearly received a lot of attention from our customers, and underlines that NORDEL MG is more than just a product – it is a solution,” says Manfred Holzleg, global marketing manager for thermoset elastomers at Dow. Since acquiring NORDEL MG in 2005, Dow has used its material science and manufacturing expertise – and proprietary metallocene technology – to significantly advance product quality and performance. The result – NORDEL MG, the first gas-phase EPDM product, provides unmatched processing economics and lowest total system cost as well as value through product performance. NORDEL MG: • Allows polymers with a Mooney viscosity greater than 100 without oil extension to be easily mixed for greater mixer or processor flexibility and reduced energy consumption and compound costs. • Can lower the mixing time by up to 30 percent. • Decreases energy of mixing by eliminating the bale breakdown step and decreasing cycle time. • Increases plant throughput by raising mixer load factor and decreasing cycle time. • Increases productivity and yield due to processing consistency and scrap reduction. • Offers rubber compounders and processors the potential for bulk handling and continuous compounding. • Provides better control and precision that yields fewer blemishes, defects and rejects. NORDEL MG products can be modified and combined to exhibit a wide range of physical characteristics in a variety of automotive applications, including weather-stripping, hosing, oil viscosity modifiers, sound dampening sheets and molded parts. Non-automotive applications include roofing membranes, flooring, building profiles, cable jacketing, general-purpose gaskets and plastics modification, among many others. The cost and performance benefits of NORDEL MG are a great example of how the Human Element at Dow brings chemistry and humanity together for the betterment of the world and the Company’s business. Dow has a remarkable history of product and technical innovations that enhance life for everyone, everywhere. The Company is also driving innovation outside the laboratory in areas like sustainability, joint-venturing, supply chain, finance, operations, safety and others that are setting the stage for growth in the 21st century. For more information about NORDEL MG and the Performance Tool, please visit www.dowelastomers.com. About Dow ®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow For Editorial Information: Nancy Lamb The Dow Chemical Company 989-638-7251 Urszula Murphy Gibbs & Soell +1-212-697-2600 ext 1296 umurphy@gibbs-soell.com
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