Dow Chemical 2011 Annual Report Download - page 21

The Dow Chemical Company
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• Our PASCAL™ Technology, launched globally, is a new
polyurethane insulating solution that can boost the energy
effi ciency of appliances by as much as 10 percent. The
product resulted from R&D efforts that recognized the
fundamental importance of cell size to improving energy
effi ciency. In collaboration with Cannon SpA, specially
formulated polyurethane foam from Dow was coupled
with improvements to equipment design that dramatically
reduce cavity fi ll times and increase manufacturing
productivity. The technology meets consumer demand for
more energy-effi cient and sleeker appliances, while helping
manufacturers meet energy regulations without impacting
design or production costs.
• Innovation starts with knowing what the customer needs, as
with the Enlist™ Weed Control System, a game-changing
combination of chemistry and herbicide-tolerant technology in
elite corn, soybean and cotton germplasm. The new technology
leverages the strengths of proven 2,4-D products to manage
resistant and hard-to-control weeds with exceptional effi cacy
and favorable environmental profi le. Genes were discovered
through a rapid, genomics-based research effort, enabling
biotechnology breakthroughs that impart robust crop tolerance
to 2,4-D-containing herbicides, allowing the effective use of
new 2,4-D products over crop plants to address accelerating
weed control challenges. Dow AgroSciences has also developed
Colex-D™ Technology, featured in the Enlist herbicide
solutions, which represents the latest formulation science and
proprietary manufacturing processes that will provide the benefi ts
of ultra-low volatility, minimized potential for drift, decreased
odor and improved handling characteristics. Enlist builds on
components already in the market in innovative new ways and
will enable farmers to continue advancing productivity using
cropping systems that preserve conservation practices.
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2011 Annual Report
In 2011, we also introduced innovations for oil and gas
exploration, production and recovery; the world’s fi rst
zero-saturated-fat Omega-9 Sunfl ower oil; a solid-state
lighting platform for light-emitting diode (LED) displays;
and the ENDURANCE™ family of semiconductive and
insulation materials for power cables.
Technologies