| 1839 |
A German apothecary called Eduard Simon discovered polystyrene. He isolated the substance from natural resin, however, but did not know what he had discovered |
| 1930 |
Scientists at I.G. Farben (today BASF) developed a way to commercially manufacture polystyrene |
| 1930s |
Several Dow researchers – including Dr. Sylvia Stoesser, Dow’s first female chemist – developed an inhibitor that was key to the commercial process for producing styrene at high purity and low cost. It enabled the production of a polystyrene that was so clear, people said it looked like crystal. They called it STYRON Polystyrene |
| 1937 |
The Dow Chemical Company introduced polystyrene products to the U.S. market and STYRON™ Polystyrene was born |
| During WWII |
The U.S. government used virtually all PS that was produced. The plastic was used in radio transmitters, receivers, altimeters, direction finders, homing devices, radar housings and other military equipment |
| 1941 |
Dow invented a process for extruding polystyrene to achieve a closed-cell foam that resists moisture - which became the basis for STYROFOAM™ products |
| 1940s |
Dow developed impact STYRON resins, heat resistant STYRON resins, and polystyrene use in extruded foams, films, latexes |
| 1940s |
In addition to STYRON Polystyrene, Dow also invented STYRALOY, a rubbery plastic that combined flexibility at sub-zero temperatures with excellent electrical properties. It was used extensively by the military for telephone and radio facilities |
| 1950s |
Dow developed sheet extrusion and thermoforming with STYRON resins |
| 1959 |
The Koppers Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, developed expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam |
| 1960s |
Dow introduced STYRON resins containing flame retardant chemical additives |
| 1970s |
Dow introduced high heat, high impact STYRON resins, injection molding and extrusion of structural foam STYRON polystyrene, feedblock coextrusion with STYRON resins, scrapless forming with STYRON resins, styrenic alloys |
| 1980s |
Dow pioneered improvements in processability, physical and chemical properties with STYRON resins |
| 1990s |
Dow launched STYRON A-TECH™ advanced technology polystyrene resin |
| 1990s |
Dow introduces STYRON A-TECH™ Advanced Technology Polystyrene Resins with properties never before possible with high-impact polystyrene |
| 2009 |
Styron was the name chosen for a new company to being spun off from Dow |
| 2010 |
Styron is established as an independent company in 2010. Its products include latex, rubber, and plastics, including polystyrene |
