Dow Polska participated in the 5th European Economic Congress in Katowice, Poland as a Chemical Session Partner. Christoph Sikora, Dow general manager in Central Europe, took part in the panel discussion "Shale Gas - European dilemmas" and Robert Stankiewicz, country manager of Dow in Poland, contributed to the session "Chemical Industry in Poland and Central Europe".
As a major chemical manufacturer, Dow is both a potential consumer and contributor to the production of shale gas and its associated products, notably natural gas liquids. Many of Dow's businesses are already developing chemical and technology solutions for shale gas exploration and development, such as advanced microbial control technologies, which help to protect water supplies.
"Dow has been present in Poland for four decades. We have witnessed, supported and participated in this country's development and growth," said Sikora. "Poland is in the forefront of European nations seeking to commercialize the extraction of shale gas and this is another milestone for the country and many industries. The size of Poland's economy and its position in the region can produce numerous benefits from a well managed and responsible commercial shale gas program," Sikora concluded.
Shale gas creates business opportunities for Dow and its customers. This field presents an area for ongoing joint effort and close development with the communities that may benefit from its sustainable production and use. Dow has a track record of effective participation in shale gas projects. Whether it is water care management, life cycle management and chemical use in hydraulic fracturing, Dow has experience and knowledge, aiming at providing responsible solutions for extraction, particularly with recent shale gas projects such as those in Texas, USA, or Argentina.
Robert Stankiewicz highlighted the importance of the chemical industry in Poland and shared Dow's best practices in the local market.
"Today Polish chemical market covers many segments where Dow offers a varity of innovative solutions designed to address customers versatile needs for different applications and markets," commented Stankiewicz. "Those solutions simply can't happen without suitable chemistry. So we focus our innovations on delivering new technologies reducing our own footprint," Stankiewicz concluded.
More than 700 high-level speakers and government representatives participated in the different panel sessions, debates and meetings within the Congress focusing on the most significant matters of economic and social development in Europe.