Dow eyes mining and oleo chemical markets

Dow Indonesia, a subsidiary of the United States-based producer of chemical products Dow Corporation, plans to expand their Indonesian chemical market into mining and crude palm oil sectors, Kontan reported on Friday.

Fleming Lee, the Business Development Manager of PT Dow Indonesia, said the rapid development of the country?s downstream mining industry and oleo chemical industry created promising business opportunities for the company.

He said that the government?s program to spur smelting industry would result in an increase in the demand for certain chemical products. ?For example, the purification of nickel will require chemical product and this is an opportunity for us,? he added.

Lee said that the growing oleo chemical industry in Indonesia, which is the largest crude palm oil producer in the world, also provide business opportunity for the company because such an industry requires certain chemical products.

He, however, did not elaborate further on the company?s plan details in entering the mining and oleo chemical markets.

At present Dow Indonesia has two factories in Indonesia. The first factory, which is located in Medan is run by PT Dow AgroSciences produces chemical products for plantations and pest control. The second factory, located in Cilegon, Banten, produces coating materials such as raw material for paint production.(*)