Shanghai, China -- Pat Dawson, Asia Pacific president for Dow Chemical Co., joined US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and forty-five other US business leaders on a top-level trade mission promoting Clean Energy partnerships in China from 15-21 May.
The delegation travelled through Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing, exploring opportunities to meet China's growing demand for clean energy, and promoting the development of a global green economy. They were at the Shanghai Dow Center on 19 May for a meeting on the US-China Energy Cooperation Program, followed by a tour of the Dow Center's research and development facilities.
"The companies on this trade mission are at the vanguard of a movement to meet the world's clean energy needs," Commerce Secretary Locke said. "As they grow their presence in fast-growing countries like China and Indonesia, companies like Dow can help solve unprecedented energy and environmental challenges, while creating good paying jobs for the people of America and China. That's a win for everyone involved."
"The urgency for global solutions to clean energy cannot be overemphasized," said Dawson, former head of Dow's polyurethanes business. Noting that Dow was able to demonstrate its commitment to developing energy efficient and alternative energy technologies, the Dow executive said, "This trip was a momentous occasion where government and businesses leaders were able to come together to search for new clean energy prospects and deliver them for our future."
Peter Sykes, president of Dow Greater China commented on the group's work around the world on economically sustainable and environmentally effective energy solutions -- in solar, wind and other areas. He also noted Dow's collaboration with governmental agencies "to improve the environmental, health, and safety performance of Chinese industries. We find this is both good for our business and good for China."
Dow claims since 1994, to have used improved technologies in manufacturing processes and facility management, to conserve 1700 trillion BTUs and cut over 90 000 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide, equalling more than $9000 million in savings.
Dow's energy-saving products include polyurethane and polystyrene rigid foam insulation, and it is also involved in development of alternative energy sources such as biofuels, photovoltaics and wind. In the latter, Dow said, it has a platform that makes wind-blade fabrication more efficient and turbine operation more robust under harsh environment like offshore.
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