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On October 2, a spokesperson for Dow Corporation said that the company’s polyurethane (PU) division plans to close its 55,000-ton-per-year polyol plant in Telt, Belgium, by the end of the first quarter of 2026. The spokesperson added that Dow began evaluating its European assets last year, with a focus on the capacity layout of its polyurethane business ； The decision to close the Telt plant is mainly due to high operating costs in the area and a \"burdensome\" regulatory environment. A Dow spokesperson emphasized that the company has the capacity to maintain supply of its existing product portfolio, and it is not expected to have a negative impact on customers and related markets. These measures help Dow’s polyurethane business adjust regional production capacity in line with market demands, phase out high-cost assets, improve cost efficiency, and ensure long-term competitiveness, in alignment with the company’s goals for sustainable growth. Jim Fitlin, CEO of Dow, said in 2024 that due to the increasing challenges posed by the regulatory environment in Europe, the company is assessing the competitiveness of various of its assets there, with those related to the polyurethane business being a focus of attention. In July of this year, the Dow Board of Directors approved the closure of three chemical plants in Europe: the ethylene cracking plant in Boren, Germany, and the chlor-alkali/vinyl assets in Schkopau, Germany, as well as the basic siloxane plant in Barry, UK. It is understood that polyols typically react with isocyanates to produce polyurethanes, which are used in the manufacture of mattresses, foam insulation materials for household appliances, household and automotive seats, elastic soles, fibers, and adhesives.