PRNewswire-FirstCall/ Dow Corning, one of theworld's largest silicon- based materials developers and manufacturers, has established a Middle Eastheadquarters and commercial entity in Manama, Bahrain. The company's Bahrain operations will helpDow Corning provide the region's vibrant construction, textiles, petrochemical and oil and gasindustries with silicon-based materials and solutions.
Dow Corning's Bahrain office willhouse engineers, chemists and sales professionals with diverse expertise in silicon-basedtechnology. The company expects there will be as many as 20 employees working out of the officewithin the next year.
"The Middle East is growing rapidly and quickly diversifying its businessfootprint," said Dr. Stephanie A. Burns, Dow Corning's chairman, president and CEO. "We recognizethe region's growing impact on the global economy and are now better positioned to share thebenefits of Dow Corning's silicon-based materials and technology to help the region continue to growand compete in the global economy over the long-term."
While Dow Corning's Bahrain office is thecompany's first location in the Middle East, the company has been active in the region for manyyears. Most recently, Dow Corning's silicone construction materials are being used in theconstruction of the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. DowCorning has worked closely with the building's structural engineers to ensure the building canwithstand the region's high winds and extreme heat, some of the biggest challenges constructionprojects in the region.
"We have done extremely well to grow our business in this region in thelast few years, even when servicing from afar. Now is our chance to drive business forward throughboth Dow Corning and our XIAMETER® brands," said Jean-Paul Mollie, Dow Corning's president, MiddleEast, South Asia and Africa. "With the special challenges of high temperatures, sand and wind, therewill be no end of uses for the incredible silicon atom in this area. The potential is yet to berealized."
Dow Corning is seeking collaboration opportunities in the region, not just withcustomers, but also with academic, government and other research organizations that are focused oninnovating products and process to make them more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
"NowDow Corning will have better access to local knowledge and a better understanding of the needs ofthe people and businesses in the region," said Mollie. "Developing links and collaborations withacademic institutions in the region will become essential and we will work alongside localgovernments to help fill the skill gap in local labor forces and teach and develop nearbycommunities."
Bahrain is the latest example, following Russia and Vietnam, of Dow Corning'seffort to expand globally and represents the company's continued efforts to meet increased demandfor silicone products and services around the world.
The applications of silicon-based materialsare diverse. These materials are used in nearly every industry and are oftentimes used to makeproducts or processes more efficient of sustainable. Silicon technology enables sealants andadhesives that enable aesthetically beautiful and environmentally sustainable construction ofbuildings, roads and infrastructure. In textile manufacturing, silicon-based materials are used toimprove process efficiency and product quality. In the oil and gas industry, these materials helpon-and off-shore drillers cut costs, increase reliability, and boost output.