Dow Chemical Company

Dow Chemical Company
source
Name	Dow Chemical Company
Founded	18 May 1897
Founder	Herbert Henry Dow
Location	Midland, Michigan, United States
Key people	Jim Fitterling (Chairman & CEO)
Industry	Chemicals
Products	Plastics, chemicals, agricultural chemicals
Revenue	▲ $56.9 billion (2023)
Num employees	~37,800 (2023)
Homepage	www.dow.com

Dow Chemical Company. The Dow Chemical Company is a global leader in the chemical industry, specializing in the production of advanced materials, industrial intermediates, and agricultural sciences. Founded in the late 19th century, it has grown through significant research and development and strategic mergers and acquisitions to become one of the world's largest chemical manufacturers. Its operations span numerous countries, supplying essential products to sectors including packaging, infrastructure, consumer care, and transportation.

History

The company was founded on May 18, 1897, by Herbert Henry Dow in Midland, Michigan, initially extracting bromine and chlorine from brine wells. A key early achievement was pioneering the electrolytic process for producing bleach, which fueled its expansion. During World War I, it became a major supplier of chemical agents like mustard gas and later contributed magnesium for incendiary weapons in World War II. The post-war era saw massive growth under leaders like Willard Dow, marked by the 1947 launch of Styrofoam and entry into consumer products like Saran Wrap. The late 20th century featured major ventures, including the 1989 formation of DowElanco with Eli Lilly and Company and the 2001 acquisition of Union Carbide, which brought assets like EVAL resins but also legacy liabilities from the Bhopal disaster. The 21st century has been defined by portfolio transformation, notably the 2015 acquisition of Dow Corning's silicones business and the historic 2017 merger with DuPont to form DowDuPont, which subsequently spun off into three independent companies, including the new Dow Inc. in 2019.

Operations

The company operates through a global network of manufacturing sites, research centers, and joint ventures, organized into three primary business segments: Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings. Major manufacturing complexes are located in Freeport, Texas, Terneuzen in the Netherlands, and Al Jubail in Saudi Arabia, the latter through the Sadara Chemical Company joint venture with Saudi Aramco. Its Research and Development is spearheaded by facilities like the Michigan Operations site in Midland and the Dow Center in Shanghai. The company also maintains significant logistics operations, including railroad tank cars and marine terminals, to serve global markets across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Products

Its extensive portfolio includes polyethylene and polypropylene resins used in flexible packaging and durable goods, marketed under brands like INNATE and VERSIFY. The Performance Plastics segment produces materials such as polyurethane systems, epoxy resins, and silicones for applications in construction, automotive, and electronics. The Industrial Solutions business supplies glycol ethers, surfactants, and amines used in paints, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. Agricultural offerings include fungicides and herbicides under the Enlist and Spinosad technology platforms. Other notable products are IONQUEST resins for water purification, DOWSIL sealants, and AGILITY foam for footwear.

Environmental and safety record

The company's environmental performance has been scrutinized following incidents like the 1976 dioxin contamination in Midland, Michigan, and its involvement in producing Agent Orange for the U.S. Department of Defense during the Vietnam War. It faced significant legal and regulatory challenges after the Bhopal disaster through its subsidiary Union Carbide India Limited, and was implicated in the Napalm controversy. In recent decades, it has launched sustainability initiatives such as the 2025 Sustainability Goals, focusing on circular economy principles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company is a signatory to Responsible Care and has invested in projects like the Plastic Energy partnership for advanced recycling. However, it continues to face lawsuits related to polyethylene foam and water pollution from facilities like its Plaquemine, Louisiana plant.

Corporate affairs

The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DOW and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Its corporate governance is led by a Board of Directors chaired by CEO Jim Fitterling, with senior leadership including Howard Ungerleider as President. Major institutional shareholders include The Vanguard Group and BlackRock. The company engages in extensive lobbying in Washington, D.C., particularly on issues related to chemical regulation and trade policy. It supports numerous philanthropic programs through the Dow Company Foundation, focusing on STEM education and community development, and sponsors events like the Dow Live Earth Run for Water. Its global headquarters remain in Midland, Michigan, with other key offices in Philadelphia, Houston, and Zurich. Category:Chemical companies of the United States Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange Category:Companies based in Michigan Category:1897 establishments in Michigan