MIDLAND Mich. (June 9, 2009)—Dow Corning Corp. said it will create the world's largest online portal for the purchase of silicone-based products that will more than double the number of products available.
With the expansion, Dow Corning said its Xiameter Web-enabled business will now offer more than 2,100 products for sale and give customers increased options in how they purchase raw materials. Dow Corning will now make available all of its standard silicone products under the Xiameter brand and also allow customers to buy Xiameter-brand products from distributors for the first time. It also is reducing its minimum volume requirements to buy through Xiameter.
Dow Corning introduced the Web-based business model in 2002 to allow online purchasing of standard silicones such as rubber bases and compounds, dimethyl fluids and emulsions, sealants and silanes. Company officials said sales through the Xiameter portal have posted double-digit percentage increases each year since, though they won't release how much of their business is conducted in this manner.
The Xiameter expansion is part of a new business strategy in which Dow Corning said it will focus on innovations in sustainability, efficiency and alternative energy.