Dec 6 2010
The Dow Chemical Company has declared that the Aratu Complex production facility in Brazil will include biomass power production at the end of 2012, along with the other clean energy sources currently deployed at the complex.
The completion of the biomass project in 2012 will make the Aratu complex to receive nearly 75% of its power requirement and steam by the use of hydropower and from the new eucalyptus cogeneration plant coming at the location.
The company is planning to utilize eucalyptus wood biomass to generate steam for the use of its chlor-alkali and chlorohydrin manufacturing processes at the facility. Dow has contracted an accord with Energias Renováveis do Brasil (ERB), to invest, erect and manage the proposed biomass cogeneration plant. The power generated from the plant will reduce approximately 180,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide discharges every year and save over 200,000 m3 of natural gas every day. The accord will entitle Dow with carbon credits to the level of its offsetting carbon dioxide emissions. The plant site is presently receiving electric power from the hydropower plant and will become the first plant to utilize biomass generated biodiesel through a supply accord. The steam generated by the co-generation plant will be employed in the production of materials utilized in building, industrial and automotive sectors.
Andrew Liveris, Dow’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said that his company is always on the look out for energy solutions that can better the energy profile of the company as well as that of its clients and associates. He added that the commitment of the company towards green energy projects such as Aratu will bring in matchless societal and economic gains.