Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan / USA; www.dow.com) is to invest USD 20m in expanding its facilities at Correggio / Italy and position the site as its global research and development centre for polyurethane systems formulation and application technology. The company plans to increase production capacity for “Styrofoam” insulation products at the site by 30% and optimise the formulated polyurethane systems manufacturing plant through improvements in productivity and logistics. A new application laboratory, pilot plant area and polymer testing capabilities will be added at the R&D centre. The work is scheduled for completion in 2009.