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Address:
Dow Corning
Ltd
Cardiff
Road
Barry
Vale of Glamorgan
CF63 2YL
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1446 732350 (switchboard)
Fax: +44 (0)1446 747944
Welcome to the Dow Corning Barry site community pages. Using the
links and information below we hope you will find all that you need about our
manufacturing site in Barry.
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Dow Corning Barry site from the neighboring nature area |
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Site information
At Barry we manufacture silicon-based products and intermediates for use by
customers around the world. We start with pieces of elemental silicon which are
chemically reacted and changed to make silicon-based fluids, gums, rubbers and
specialty polymers. These are then sold to our customers and used as
ingredients to their products. Silicon-based materials are found in many
everyday products from personal care products (shampoos, make up, deodorants)
to car airbag coatings and sealants and can be made to protect, lubricate,
strengthen, adhere or conduct. We also supply many other Dow Corning sites
with basic silicone polymers for their downstream processes.
The Barry
site brochure (PDF size = 343 KB) provides information on the site's
activities in the community and explains our commitment to health, safety and
the environment. Our manufacturing process is also described in the brochure.
Printed copies are available from the site on request.
Location
The 160-acre site is situated to the eastern part of Barry, South Wales, UK
in the county of the Vale of Glamorgan. With sea docks right next to the site
and excellent rail and road links to other parts of the UK and Europe, Barry
makes an ideal location for manufacturing. In fact, many of our finished
products are shipped from Barry docks direct to our customers in Asia,
Australia and Europe.
Historical Roots
The link with Barry and Dow Corning dates back to 1952 when manufacturing of
silicon-based materials first began. Under the joint-venture name of
Midland Silicones, Dow Corning and Albright & Wilson started making
silicon-based products. Dow Corning took complete ownership of the site in
1971. The site has seen significant investment through the years to create a
highly technical and modern silicones manufacturing plant. The Barry site is
the largest plant operated by Dow Corning in Europe.
Serving customers globally
Through the expertise and dedication of our employees and the quality
products we supply, our customers based around the world can produce: the air
bags that protect the lives of car passengers, fabric treatments that make our
clothes feel soft, coatings that help preserve our heritage, make up that
applies smoothly and is non-greasy, shampoos to make our hair shiny, polishes
to protect cars and furniture, sealants that allow glass buildings to stay
together, as well as a huge number of other applications.
Dow Corning maintains a corporate ISO9001 registration. Tools to meet
customer requirements include: internal and external audits, a Quality
Notification system and Six Sigma methodology.
Barry site nature center
The site is fortunate to have an area of natural wetland, our nature center,
in which wildlife can flourish. Set adjacent to the manufacturing site, the
area serves as a large fishing amenity with two large ponds. Reed beds and
meadowland complement the ponds and serve as extended habitats for many
different species of plants, animals and insects.
Overlooking the ponds is our education center in which we host school groups
interested in learning about eco-systems, wildlife and sustainability. The
building is made as sustainable as possible with materials of construction
being sourced from managed forests or made incorporating eco-friendly
principles. We incorporate several eco-friendly technologies: ground source
heating to heat the building, solar photovoltaics to provide power while
rainwater harvesting provides water for the restrooms.
Read more on our
Nature Center web page.
Our employees
The site currently employs approximately 600 people - from engineers,
chemists, plant operators and trades personnel to safety specialists,
accountants, IT specialists and administration staff. Safety and the
environment are top priorities for the site and all employees are required to
undergo comprehensive safety and environmental training.
Forums for Neighbors
Our interactive open house events are good ways for residents to learn more
about Dow Corning, see our site and ask questions directly to our senior
managers. Forum for Neighbors events are held periodically and anyone
interested in Dow Corning is encouraged to attend. Also at these events we
offer a tour of our site taking in our control room and giving visitors a
chance to talk with our operator personnel.

The distinctive distillation columns of the Barry site
Dow Corning Limited is a limited liability company registered in
England and Wales, registration number 486170. Registered address as
above. VAT number GB134023713.
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