Dow makes chemistry fun for kids

How's it made? From moisturizing creams to solar-powered cars, some Chinese primary school students recently got a crash course in production theories and the magic of chemistry after participating in Dow Corning's Science Day, an event held by the US silicone-based technology producer.

Dow Corning scheduled four Science Day programs this year, with the first three already held in Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu, Beijing, and Shanghai. The last one will be held in Shanghai's Songjiang district in December.

"I have realized how fascinating chemistry improves our lives through the event," said Zhao Jing, who attended the program in Beijing in July this year. "I also learned the importance of environmental protection in our daily life," she said.

During the Beijing Science Day program, students took part in five hands-on silicone-related experiments, including making moisturizing cream, silicone rubber, antifoam coatings, silicone screen printing and a miniature solar car.

"I liked the mini solar car experiment most," said Zhao. "I learn how sunlight can generate renewable energy through this experiment. It is much more interesting than reading a book."

For Dow Corning this education program demonstrates good corporate citizenship in China, said Jeremy Burks, Dow Corning Greater China president. "By providing various learning opportunities to the students, we are helping the local community invest in its future."

Burks said that he believes that each corporation has a responsibility towards the community in which it operates. "We are dedicated to building even stronger ties with local communities."

As a technology-based company, Dow Corning's corporate social responsibility activities in China will focus on areas like science education and environmental protection, he added.

Clean energy business

Burks said that the clean energy business would be a key focus of Dow Corning in China in the next few years.

The company is expanding its plant, which produces silicone products in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province.

The plant, a project together with German chemical company Wacker Chemie AG, is China's largest facility of its kind and among the world's largest and more advanced integrated production complexes for silicone.

Dow Corning is also strengthening its portfolio in wind energy in China in line with the growing market, said Burks.

Although wind power still accounts for a relatively small part of Dow Corning's China business, it is a sector with the fastest-growth rate and tremendous potential, he said.

The company is now providing customers with a variety of silicone-based materials designed to improve reliability, durability and the performance of wind turbines. These include lubricants for different bearings and fluids for transformers.

Burks said that Dow Corning is well on track to achieve its sales target in China this year. Many industries like clean energy, textile, and healthcare in the country will continue to offer the company huge opportunities.

Source:China Daily