Rayong - August 22, 2017 - From the governmental policy to accelerate Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) with a budget of 1.5 trillion baht within five years (2017-2021), the main focus has been a development of infrastructure in large industrial cities which are Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao provinces. Private sector plays an important role in supporting Industry 4.0 scheme through the access of knowledge, technology, and personnel. Dow Chemical, a leading global science company, has opened Center for Advanced Analytical Technology at Asia Industrial Estate in Rayong province marking its first center in Asia Pacific and the latest center of Dow. The center is equipped with world-class measurement science and a highly qualified team of scientists and analysts. The total investment of construction and technology is estimated at 340 million baht or 10 million US dollars and will generate opening positions of 35 experts.
Jirasak Singmaneechai, Managing Director, Dow Thailand Group, said, “This latest world-class analytical technology center will deliver new technology and manufacturing process development as well as product improvement to ensure production reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. While supporting the growth for Dow in Asia Pacific, the center will also contribute to Thailand 4.0 by enhancing R&D technologies, transferring advanced science technologies to Thai workforce, and building the new R&D generation.”
Kaye Burns, Analytical Operations Director, The Dow Chemical Company, said, “The center is the company’s first analytical center in Asia Pacific to support manufacturing and engineering. The center is able to comprehensively assess potential hazards of chemical reactions as a defensive analysis. This capability is useful for the design of plant construction or the production process to prevent explosions or chemical reaction accidents resulting in operational safety improvement and efficiency of production process.”
Technological tools at Center for Advanced Analytical Technology also support advanced analyses of chemical substances from high to low concentration and in every form of samples including solid, liquid, and gas. It can classify most chemicals in the periodic table with a variation of automation and analytical devices. This will help enhance the safety of experts in contact with chemicals, improve analytical accuracy, and reduce production time and cost.
Pasu Loharjun, Director-General, Department of Industrial Promotion, said, “The Ministry of Industry has implemented a strategic roadmap to lay the groundwork for Thai industry to be in-lined with Thailand 4.0 model and “Special Economic Zone”. This includes the investment scheme of Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) which aims for the new cities’ industrial, commercial, and service sector development in Rayong, Chonburi and Chachoengsao provinces. The opening of Center for Advanced Analytical Technology by Dow Thailand Group will accelerate the innovation potential of Thailand and ASEAN.”
Mongkol Pruekwattana, Director-General, Department of Industrial Works, said, “The Department of Industrial Works has a responsibility to regulate and propel Thailand industry into Industry 4.0 by encouraging more development and investment in innovation. The department is trying to eliminate obstacles and ease complex business operation. As for the Center for Advanced Analytical Technology, the department has eased complex import and export process of the research sample which leads to a successful opening of the center today.”
Surasak Charoensirichote, Rayong Provincial Governor, concluded, “Rayong province has a direction to create collaboration among public sectors to promote environmental- friendly industry with the aim of becoming a key economic base of the country. The operations under Center for Advanced Analytical Technology of Dow Thailand Group will increase local opportunities and business expansion. As a result, Rayong will be positioned as a center for advanced technological development which will strengthen our economy, create the culture of production innovation, and uplift the country’s petrochemical industry.”
Center for Advanced Analytical Technology focuses on sustainable development in both environmental and social responsibilities in technological and professional levels. The center also partners with leading universities in initiating training and internship programs providing practical trainings for students to help enhance their potential and create a workforce of experts for Thailand. The partnership is a key driver in the development of Thai industry to Industry 4.0 in accordance with the government’s policy.
About Dow Thailand Group
Consisting of Companies of Dow Chemical Thailand and the SCG-Dow Group, Dow Thailand Group, the leading science group of companies in Thailand, is the largest manufacturing base of Dow Chemical in the Asia-Pacific region and a leading importer of chemical products for diverse industries in Thailand, including those for agriculture and household pesticides. The group is committed to developing science-driven innovations and strives to form effective collaboration and networks to bring about sustainability for its business as well as society. More information about Dow Thailand can be found at www.dow.com/thailand
About Dow Chemical
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from material, polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of the world's most challenging problems, such as the need for fresh food, safer and more sustainable transportation, clean water, energy efficiency, more durable infrastructure, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's integrated, market-driven portfolio delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in 175 countries and in high-growth sectors such as packaging, infrastructure, transportation, consumer care, electronics, and agriculture. In 2016, Dow had annual sales of $48 billion and employed approximately 56,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 7,000 product families are manufactured at 189 sites in 34 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.