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On April 23, during the 2026 International Plastics and Rubber Exhibition, Dow Corporation held a media briefing under the theme of \"Working Together to Create a Better Future.\" Xiao Keda, Senior Business Director for Sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region at Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics division, and Zhao Minjia, Director of Technical Services and Development for the same division in the Asia-Pacific region, shared and discussed the innovative products and customized application solutions introduced at the exhibition. They stated that Dow will leverage material innovation to drive the implementation of the circular economy. Presenting a range of innovative solutions, Zhao Minjia explained that at this exhibition, Dow Corporation showcased a wide array of soft and hard packaging solutions as well as specialized application solutions. First, it helps improve efficiency in the flexible packaging industry and provides new application solutions. Dow’s extensive portfolio of heat-seal materials includes world-first medium-performance heat-seal resins, as well as a new high-melt-index octagonal linear low-density polyethylene, all of which help improve packaging production efficiency ; Emerging application solutions cover pet food packaging, pre-packaged food packaging, and designs that are recyclable; they enhance production efficiency while also ensuring key properties such as high barrier performance, heat resistance, and recyclability. The second is circular solutions containing post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials. Dow demonstrated the high performance of recycled materials in a variety of end-use applications, including REVOLOOP recycled plastic resin, packaging and consumer goods containing PCR, as well as SURLYN ionomer applications derived from circular raw materials – such as perfume caps and other products requiring high aesthetic standards. Third is the future-oriented automotive interior solutions. Including EVOAIR synthetic leather solutions, INFINAIR polymers for 3D air fiber technology, and high-performance polyolefin elastomer solutions, as well as lighter, more comfortable, and more recyclable seat systems. Fourth is industrial and infrastructure applications. Solutions such as PCR cable jackets, wood-plastic composites, and POE synthetic leather demonstrate the application potential of recycled materials in high-demand industrial applications. “These application solutions promote lightweight design, improve material efficiency, and increase the use of recycled materials, while ensuring that quality and performance remain unaffected, thereby achieving the goals of sustainable development. ”Zhao Minjia said. Integration of performance and sustainability: Green and low-carbon practices have shifted from being an “optional option” to a requirement for entering the industry. Dow remains committed to a circular economy as its core principle, establishing a full-chain green innovation platform to integrate “performance” and “sustainability” through innovation. “Through a range of material solutions tailored for practical applications, Dow demonstrates how a circular economy can be effectively implemented and scaled up across the industrial value chain. ”Zhao Minjia said that through continuous innovation, from recyclable design and the use of recycled materials to high-performance single-material solutions, Dow is helping the industry achieve a balance between sustainability and commercial value. Shokoda believes that the various innovations demonstrated by Dow show that sustainable development does not mean compromising on performance. While supporting the goals of a circular economy, these solutions also help customers achieve key business benefits such as improved packaging efficiency, reduced material usage, enhanced durability, and better visual appearance. He emphasized that true sustainability requires considering recyclability from the material design stage, rather than taking remedial actions afterwards. It’s not just about “using less material,” but about “achieving full recycling and reuse of materials.” Continuing to deepen its presence in the Chinese market. During the exhibition, Dow announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Packaging Federation and Beijing JD Express Co., Ltd. (JD Logistics) to jointly promote the recycling and reuse of plastic waste. Key areas of cooperation include expanding the use of PCR gas column bags and broadening the range of logistics packaging products. The two parties will also launch a pilot project for closed-loop recycling and reuse in the JD Logistics park, with the first site being JD Logistics’ Shanghai Asia No.1 Warehouse. The aim is to promote the widespread use of recycled materials in logistics packaging systems, explore the creation of a closed-loop system for the recycling and reuse of plastic waste, and support the green transformation of the logistics packaging industry. In addition, Dow has also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Nanjing Jufeng New Materials Co., Ltd. to accelerate the large-scale and high-value application of recycled plastics in the plastic-wood industry. This partnership aims to reduce reliance on virgin plastics, improve the performance stability of wood-plastic products and enhance their market acceptance, while creating a replicable model project for the circular economy industry. Shokoda said that Dow views China as an important engine for circular innovation and large-scale application. On the one hand, by leveraging digital tools for \"tracking and tracing,\" strategic partnerships in the recycling sector as well as local supply of PCR raw materials are utilized to expand the scale of the circular economy in the Asia-Pacific region ; On the other hand, we will continue to support local clients in adapting to circular economy policies and evolving consumer demands for sustainability, thereby facilitating the implementation of solutions.