Dow launches sustainable propylene glycol solutions in N. America

Dow Chemical has introduced two new sustainable varieties of propylene glycol (PG) solutions in North America, leveraging bio-circular and circular feedstocks. These innovative products, designed for a wide range of applications, promise high-performance with verified sustainability benefits, utilising a mass balance approach. 

The mass balance approach allows for the mixing of certified and non-certified materials in production, with the requirement that the quantity of certified material is accounted for and balanced within the supply chain. The mass balance approach enables the integration of sustainable materials without altering the production process. This process has earned ISCC PLUS certification for Dow’s PG manufacturing plant in Freeport, Texas, U.S.A., marking a significant milestone for sustainable material production in North America.

ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS) is a certification system for sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions. It extends the ISCC system beyond biofuels and bioenergy to cover a wide range of sectors and applications, including food, feed, chemicals, and bio-based products. 

“We are proud to set a precedent for more sustainable material production in North America, demonstrating our commitment to advancing sustainable production and products for our customers,” said Thales de Oliveira, business sustainability leader for the Americas for Dow Polyurethanes. “The demand for circular and bio-circular material for polyurethane end-markets is increasing, and by using our advanced recycling technologies, we can now offer our customers the same high-quality products with increased sustainability benefits.”

Dow’s new PG products, Propylene Glycol CIR and Propylene Glycol REN, are now available in North America and certified by ISCC PLUS. 

– Propylene Glycol CIR utilizes Renuva^TM recycled content, enabling customers to process hard-to-recycle post-consumer and post-industrial waste into sustainable feedstocks.

– Propylene Glycol REN incorporates Ecolibrium^TM bio-circular technology, reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based feedstocks.

These new PG solutions are designed to help customers achieve their circular and sustainability goals and are suitable for a broad range of applications across industries including personal care, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, flavorings, fragrances, agricultural, and industrial sectors.

As part of its sustainability journey, Dow continues to seek innovative ways to incorporate alternative feedstocks, specifically those with bio-circular origins or derived from post-industrial consumer waste.