Dow Water Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and global leader in water purification, seawater desalination, contamination removal and water reuse solutions, has reached a multi-year joint development partnership with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and University of Texas at Austin (UT). Under the agreement, Dow Water Solutions will collaborate with Virginia Tech and UT on the research and development of oxidation-resistant reverse osmosis membranes.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with an industry leader such as Dow Water Solutions,” said Dr. Benny Freeman, Kenneth A. Kobe and Paul D. and Betty Robertson Meek & American Petrofina Foundation Centennial Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin. “It’s an exciting alliance bringing together the vast engineering knowledge of our universities with Dow’s existing industry expertise, resulting in breakthrough membrane chemistry.”

Dr. James McGrath, University Distinguished and Ethyl Corporation Professor of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, added, “This partnership is a positive step forward for the advancement of science. Through innovation, research and hard work, our joint development will present endless opportunities to deploy advanced membrane technologies, meaning greater water purification and management to the world.”

This joint partnership will tackle one of the toughest technical challenges in the water desalination industry, developing oxidation-resistant, or chlorine-resistant, reverse osmosis membranes that will simplify the water treatment process and convert highly-contaminated waters into potable water sources.

“Over the past five years, we’ve invested significantly in innovation to provide sustainable water in a more efficient and cost-effective manner,” said David Klanecky, global director of research and development, Dow Water Solutions. “This joint partnership is yet another example of how we strategically collaborate and combine our expertise with that of innovative leaders to drive growth and bring solutions to our customers around the world.”

About Dow Water Solutions

Dow Water Solutions is a performance-based business unit comprised of world-class brands and enabling component technologies designed to advance the science of water purification around the world, including seawater desalination, contaminant removal and water reuse. With more than 1,000 employees worldwide, the business maintains five production facilities globally to manufacture, market and sell reverse osmosis membranes, ion exchange resins, titanium-based arsenic removal media, ultrafiltration, and electrodeionization components. Dow Water Solutions also manufactures, markets and sells premier water purification systems in China.

About Dow

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.