Dow expands the use of carbon fiber composites in Russia to reduce СО2 emissions

The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) partnered with some of the most innovative companies in Russia to expand the application of a locally-produced, low-weight, high-strength material to enable considerable advancements in structural integrity and construction quality for civil infrastructure. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings enabled by the application of the Carbon Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) composites technology in Russia will contribute toward the mitigation of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee carbon footprint, estimated to be about 360,000 MT of CO₂ equivalent emissions.

The carbon fiber-based composites developed by Dow, the Official Carbon Partner of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, its joint venture DowAksa Advanced Composites Holdings B.V., and partners Holding Company Composite (HCC) and RUSNANO, a renowned Russian innovation powerhouse, offer a more sustainable alternative to construct or retrofit large buildings, bridges and other large infrastructure designed to carry heavier loads.

CFR composites are high-performance materials that don’t corrode and require minimum maintenance throughout the expected useful life of a building. The most common areas of application are related to the strengthening of beams, columns, masonry, brick walls and steel and concrete pipes. The material can also be applied to extend the service life of roads and bridge decks – a considerable benefit in a country with significant freeze and thaw cycles.

“The use of CFR in the retrofit of buildings and bridges addresses the issue of aged infrastructure in Russia by extending service life by up to 50 to 75 years, while avoiding demolition and rebuilding. At the same time, new structures reinforced with CFR can carry heavier loads and are better protected from aging,” explains Dr. Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, Sustainability and Technology director, Dow Olympic Operations. “This technology enables significant GHG emissions savings by substituting traditional steel and concrete reinforcement. Additional sustainability benefits are reduced GHG emissions related to the construction activity, lower levels of particulates and debris from demolition, lower demand for material transport and reduced noise pollution.”

In order to further research the reductions in GHG emissions enabled by the use of carbon fiber in the construction or retrofit of buildings, bridges and other large structures, Dow is partnering with leading experts from academia in the United States to conduct exploratory research on the benefits of composites versus traditional methods of structural repair and refurbishment.

NEW AREAS OF INNOVATION
The benefits of the carbon fiber composites technology are not limited to the areas of construction and civil engineering. Combining the strengths of Dow and its local partners in research and development, manufacturing, supply chain and marketing, the CFR technology can be leveraged for transportation light weighting solutions and other energy-efficient or low-carbon applications.

“By accelerating the implementation of advanced composite materials in the construction sector, we can support the growth of other application areas and stimulate different industries in Russia to adopt these versatile carbon fiber-based technologies,” said Oksana Pilatova, Dow Government Markets Leader in Russia and CIS. “Such growth will contribute to the creation of jobs and economic growth across the entire Russian Federation, benefiting areas from highly-specialized scientific research to operational jobs.”

Since the signature of a memorandum of intent in January 2013, Dow has been working together with its partners on growing the capacity of carbon fiber intermediates and composite materials in Russia. Now, under the scope of the Dow-led “Sustainable Future” program, targeting the mitigation of the Sochi 2014 carbon footprint, the partners are focusing on expanding the application and use of the technology by building local expertise and enhancing Russian competitiveness in this highly technological area.

In a step forward to engage different industries in the discussion around the growth potential for carbon fiber-based applications in Russia, experts in the area organized the three-day symposium “Composites Without Borders” in Moscow - as part of the broader Open Innovation Forum and Exhibit – 2013 program, held from October 31st through November 2nd.

“The new economic developments and the overall promotion of energy efficiency happening in Russia through our ‘Sustainable Future’ program are powerful proof points of the positive change that the Olympic Games can catalyze in host territories,” said George Hamilton, vice president, Dow Olympic Operations. “As The Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games, Dow is proud to enable more sustainable and higher-performing Games with unique innovations and solutions that generate a positive impact in our day-to-day lives, on and off the field of play.”

Source: Dow