US silicone-based products maker Dow Corning Corp. will build a plant in Malaysia this year as part of a pledge made in 1998 to invest two billion ringgit (USD 526 million) in the country. The Michigan-based company, a venture between chemicals maker Dow Chemical Co. and glass producer Corning Inc., had proposed in 1998 to set up the facility in southern Johor state bordering Singapore. Dow Corning had shelved its Malaysian plans following the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. The Johor plant will produce silicone chemicals for use in the manufacture of many products including construction sealants and textiles.
