The Dow Chemical Co. (Midland, Mich.; www.dow.com) today announced that its largest manufacturing facility in Brazil, the Aratu Complex, will add biomass to its portfolio of clean energy sources by the end of 2012. Upon project completion in December 2012, Aratu will be more than 75% sourced for power and steam through hydropower and eucalyptus cogeneration.
Eucalyptus wood biomass will be used to produce steam for the site’s chlor-alkali and chlorohydrin production processes. Dow has signed a supply agreement with Energias Renováveis do Brasil (ERB), which will invest, install and operate the biomass co-generation plant. The plant is expected to reduce the site’s carbon dioxide emissions by 180,000 metric tons per year, and conserve 200,000 m3 of natural gas daily. The agreement will also enable carbon credits for Dow through the CO2 emission savings.
“At Dow, we’re focused on energy solutions that will unlock dramatic improvements in our energy profile as well as that of our customers and partners,” said Andrew Liveris, chairman and CEO of Dow. “Our commitment to a sustainable energy future, like the Aratu project, will continue to drive unparalleled economic and societal benefits.”
The Aratu site currently receives all of its electricity from hydropower, and will be the first petrochemical user of biomass in Brazil through the supply agreement. The steam produced by the co-generation plant will be integral to the manufacture of materials for the automotive, building and industrial sectors.
“The new agreement at Aratu represents a significant milestone in our strategy to implement clean energy technology in our operations and advance our leadership in energy efficiency and carbon management,” said Doug May, vice president of energy and climate change at Dow.