'High Interest' Causes Dow and Mobius Technologies to Install Demonstration Recycling System at Dow

Foam Manufacturers to Try-out New Recycling Technology

The Dow Chemical Company announced October 25, 2001, in Düsseldorf/Germany, as part of their development agreement with Mobius Technologies, that the companies will install a proprietary polyurethane recycling system at Dow's Technical Development Center near Geneva, Switzerland. The new technology gives flexible foam producers an economical way to turn scrap-foam into an asset and thereby reduce the costs of producing new foam. Dow will make the facility open to polyurethane foam manufacturers that have an interest in utilizing the technology. The equipment will be installed and ready for demonstration in December 2001.

"Dow and Mobius have recently found that scrap foam can be utilized in the manufacture of new foam at even higher concentrations than was originally anticipated," said David Fischer, Vice President of Dow's Polyurethanes business. "Consequently, the two companies have received a high level of interest from foam manufacturers."

Since signing a joint marketing agreement in April, Mobius and Dow have been working together to bring this recycling opportunity to foam manufacturers worldwide. The installation of the Mobius Technologies plant in Geneva continues this work.

"This will provide a centrally-located facility to demonstrate the technology and equipment to prospective customers," added Bryan Martel, president of Mobius Technologies. "We'll be able to show prospective customers what our existing customers already know, that this is a great new technology that is changing the foam industry."

The facility will be able to process commercial quantities of scrap foam. Dow will show customers scrap foam being recycled and made into comparable foams that meet their existing product specifications.

"Dow can demonstrate that the collection, grinding and reuse of scrap foam can be cost-effective when scrap prices are under pressure," said Steven English, business development director, Dow Polyurethanes. "In reintroducing this foam into existing formulations, Dow and Mobius are integrally involved with cost-effective recycling on a large scale. The installation of this facility will demonstrate the technology's ability to contribute to our customers' bottom-line."

Mobius' polyurethane flexible foam recycling technology pulverizes scrap foam left over from the foaming and conversion process into a very fine polyurethane powder of less than 75 microns. The powder is fine enough that it can be mixed into polyols in the production of new foam. The powdered polyurethane foam can replace over 12 percent of new polyol, lowering the costs associated with producing new foam, while maintaining specifications and quality in the new foam. This technology is effectively utilized in molded and slabstock foams, hot and cold cure foams, and CO2 blown foams.

Dow's polyurethanes business, a leading supplier of polyurethane raw materials, offers one of the broadest lines of polyurethane products in the industry. Dow's raw materials are used in rigid foams, flexible foams, adhesives, sealants, coatings, elastomers and agrifibers, as well as many other applications. Applications for these products cover a wide range of end uses, including cushioning for furniture and bedding, carpet backing, automotive seating and instrument panels, office furniture, flooring, and insulation for appliances, sheathing and roofing.

Dow is a leading science and technology company that provides innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of approximately $30 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 170 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 50,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities.

Mobius Technologies is the leading supplier of turnkey recycling systems for the polyurethane foam industry. Located near the San Francisco Bay Area in northern California, Mobius maintains engineering, laboratory, pilot plant, manufacturing and administrative facilities at its Grass Valley headquarters. The facilities are equipped to handle all aspects of polyurethane recycling development, from initial laboratory trials to pilot plant demonstrations and commercial scale-up. Mobius maintains active research and development programs in size reduction, classification, material handling, rheology, blending science, and urethane material science.

Dow Chemical Company,

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