Dow Opens Commercial-Scale Manufacturing of ENLIGHTTM Polyolefin Encapsulant Films for Photovoltaic Modules

The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) (NYSE:Dow) has begun commercial-scale manufacturing of ENLIGHT^TM Polyolefin Encapsulant Films for use in photovoltaic solar panel modules at its state-of-the-art production line in Findlay, Ohio. Ceremonies marking the opening took place last week.

It was a moment for celebration at The Dow Chemical Company's Findlay, Ohio, facility late last week. Employees and business leaders alike participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the beginning of production of ENLIGHT(TM) polyolefin encapsulants there. This new technology enables solar panel makers to lower their overall costs - these encapsulants allow faster processing speeds and provide greater durability to the finished panel. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Response to the introduction of ENLIGHT technology earlier this year has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Brij Sinha, global strategic marketing manager for photovoltaics for Dow’s Packaging and Converting business. "Our encapsulant films improve the ability of module manufacturers to lower their overall costs.” Sinha notes that the films allow faster processing speeds, which lead to lower conversion costs. "Just as important, ENLIGHT technology has demonstrated that it can help increase the reliability of the finished module, leading to a longer service life.”

Dow offers two developmental grades of ENLIGHT Polyolefin Encapsulant Films, and also is developing customer-specific formulations. These films provide greater module stability and improved electrical performance versus traditional encapsulants, such as EVA-based products. The new encapsulant films are suitable for C-Si and thin-film modules.

"The extensive polyolefin film production capabilities of Dow’s Findlay operations make it the perfect site for manufacturing ENLIGHT Polyolefin Encapsulant Film formulations that are tailored to address the unique needs of customers around the world,” said Brian Brown, Findlay manufacturing site leader for Dow’s Packaging and Converting business.

The company plans to phase in production capacity around the world as needed to meet growing demand.

"This world-scale production facility for ENLIGHT Polyolefin Encapsulant Films is the latest step Dow is taking to help support the continued growth of the solar panel market around the world,” said Neil Carr, business group vice president for Dow’s Packaging and Converting business. "Dow is bringing a wide range of technologies to address the needs of PV module manufacturers, including films, adhesives, and electronic materials.”

This latest encapsulant joins the ENLIGHT™ family of encapsulants, metallization, imaging, cleaning and texturizing materials sold to the photovoltaic market worldwide. These include ADCOTE^TM Solvent-Based Adhesives, MOR-FREE^TM Solventless Adhesives and ENLIGHT^TM Liquid Encapsulants for flexible modules.

For additional information about ENLIGHT Polyolefin Encapsulant Films, please visit the ENLIGHT website or call Dow’s Customer Information Group and reference Element # 1-89SVTV:

• In North America: 800-441-4369
• In Europe: + 800 3 694 6367; or in Italy: 800 783 825

About Dow

Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element” to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6545207&lang=em