EoW November 2012

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Focus on
USA
November 2012 68
Dow Electrical & Telecommunications
is a global provider of products,
technology, solutions and knowledge
that helps set standards for the reliability,
longevity, efficiency, ease of installation
and protection that the power and
telecommunications industries can count
on in the transmission, distribution and
consumption of power, voice and data.
Dow E&T works together with cable
makers, other industry suppliers, utilities,
municipalities, testing institutes and
diverse organisations to help develop
solutions and create mutual value that
will sustain these industries for years to
come.
State-of-the-art production, packaging
and distribution facilities for Dow E&T that
serve the global wire and cable industry
are located in Seadrift, Texas.
Jacketing, insulation and semi-conductive
compounds for use in power and
telecommunications wires and cables
are manufactured in two dedicated
plants within Dow’s Seadrift Operations’
4,700-acre complex.
Knowing that cable longevity and
reliability are essential to efficient
and cost-effective utility operations,
Dow E&T initiated and maintains strict
manufacturing parameters to help ensure
product consistency and cleanliness
batch-to-batch.
Facility design in Seadrift begins with
a fully enclosed raw materials system.
Compounding and extrusion are
monitored with automated process
controls including metal detection and
removal systems.
Finished compounds are packaged
in a cleanroom environment in
moisture-impervious containers prior to
shipment to customers. On-site analytical
laboratories thoroughly test incoming
raw materials and provide in-process
monitoring during manufacturing to
ensure that finished products are as
contaminant-free as possible.
Originally constructed in the 1950s,
Seadrift Operations continuously
updates its facilities to meet industry
demands. Recent improvements at
Dow E&T’s Seadrift plants comprise new
leading-edge technology and enhanced
capabilities to produce DowEndurance™
HFDC 4202 EC insulation, Dow’s advanced
performance medium voltage (MV)
offering.
These improvements also benefit
production of jacket and insulation
compounds for high voltage (HV) and
extra high voltage (EHV) applications.
These proprietary measures are being
undertaken as part of the continuous
improvement efforts to help ensure
stringent materials cleanliness that is
especially crucial to the super clean
compounds expected for HV and EHV
cable applications.
Upgraded process controls also are being
implemented along with next generation
Most Effective Technology (MET) for
reaction and cross-linkable polyethylene
material facilities.
For over 50 years, Seadrift operations has
been the second largest Dow-owned
facility in Texas.
It employs over 600 Dow employees and
nearly 500 resident contract workers.
It operates 24 hours a day and is
responsible for approximately 3.7 billion
pounds of materials production per year.
In addition to facilities dedicated to
Dow E&T, the complex also produces
plastics, glycols and oxide derivatives for
diverse industries including automotive,
packaging, health and hygiene, building
and construction, apparel and agriculture.
Dow Electrical and Telecommunications
– USA
Website:
Dow’s 4,700-acre site
▲ ▲ The Seadrift, Texas, site of Dow Electrical and Telecommunications