Comprehensive Introduction to Dow Chemical, a World-Renowned Enterprise
Founded in the United States in 1897, The Dow Chemical Company is a technology-driven multinational corporation and the world's second-largest international chemical company (with DuPont of the U.S. ranking first). Dow operates plants in more than 50 countries and regions. It primarily develops and manufactures a wide range of chemical products, plastics, and agricultural chemicals, which are widely used in construction, water purification, papermaking, pharmaceuticals, transportation, food and food packaging, household products, and personal care. Its business spans 180 countries and regions, with 46,000 employees worldwide.
In 1998, Dow Chemical (China) Investment Co., Ltd. was established to manage all of Dow's investment projects in China.
In 2003, total sales reached US$33 billion, with more than 3,500 types of products.
Dow Chemical Company is a global leader known for its science and technology, providing innovative chemicals, plastics, agricultural chemicals, and services to major consumer markets, with annual total sales of US$40 billion. Dow serves customers in 175 countries across markets including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and construction and engineering, all vital to human development.
In 2004, Dow ranked 105th in the Fortune Global 500 and 34th in the Fortune 500 (U.S.). [2]
In 2013, Dow Chemical won the 2013 U.S. Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for successfully developing the EVOQUE pre-composite polymer technology, which can replace or enhance the hiding function of titanium dioxide (TiO2). The technology improves the distribution and light-scattering efficiency of TiO2 particles in coatings, enhancing hiding power and reducing TiO2 usage in formulations by 20%, achieving the same or better results at lower cost. It also improves coating properties such as stain resistance and corrosion resistance. This technology significantly reduces energy consumption, NOx and SOx emissions, and red tides. [3-4]
In August 2004, Shanghai officially became Dow's Greater China regional headquarters. Dow actively expanded its manufacturing base in Greater China. Dow now operates 18 manufacturing plants and joint ventures in Zhangjiagang, Ningbo, Zhongshan, Nangang, and Tsing Yi. Dow is committed to long-term development in China, continuously enhancing local production and R&D capabilities, cultivating global talent, and building its regional business into one of Dow's global business centers. The Dow Center in Shanghai's Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, put into use in June 2009, serves as Dow's commercial and innovation center for the Asia-Pacific region and its largest integrated R&D center, bringing together R&D expertise and market-oriented application development. Five hundred top scientists and engineers collaborate across more than 80 integrated laboratories, rooted in the local market to meet customer needs.
At the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Dow was the exclusive sponsor in the chemical and materials science category for the USA National Pavilion. Dow provided comprehensive support for the Expo, including environmentally friendly products and solutions for the USA Pavilion and other Expo construction projects, showcased cutting-edge technology within the USA Pavilion, and continuously provided volunteer services for Expo-related projects.
Through years of economic and trade cooperation, Dow has established close ties with regional customers, distributors, and governments at all levels and related units. In both the Chinese and global markets, Dow's goal is to understand customer business needs, stay close to market changes, and provide comprehensive solutions.
Dow and its 50,000 employees worldwide firmly believe in the principles of sustainable development, promoting economic growth while protecting the environment and contributing to society. Dow publicly commits to fully supporting the industry's voluntary Responsible Care initiative to achieve the safe handling of chemicals. Since 2000, Dow has been rated as a Sustainability Leader in the global chemical industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.
Dow began operations in mainland China in the 1930s. Over the past 70-plus years, Dow has leveraged its leading technology and rich experience to consistently provide quality products and services to customers in Greater China, adapting to evolving market demands. Today, Dow has established its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Shanghai and operates 6 business centers and 18 production bases in Greater China, with approximately 3,500 employees. In 2010, Dow's sales in Greater China reached US$4.02 billion. Greater China has become Dow's second-largest market, after the United States.
The Dow Center built by Dow in Shanghai's Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park was completed in 2008, including an advanced R&D center and a global information technology center. The new Dow Center can accommodate 1,800 employees, becoming an important business and innovation center for Dow's Asia-Pacific region.
While developing its business, Dow adheres to a people-oriented operating philosophy, providing every employee with ample space and resources to realize their personal value and potential. While providing employees with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits system, the company also emphasizes employee career development, formulating a series of comprehensive training courses and career development plans, and providing various personal mentoring and systematic job-rotation learning systems.
Moreover, Dow has long been committed to the growth and development of Chinese university students. Dow's summer internship program provides an excellent platform for in-school students to experience Dow's corporate culture, demonstrate their talents, and enhance their self-worth. Nearly a hundred outstanding students from various provinces and cities are selected each year. In addition, Dow has established the Dow Chemical Scholarship at seven universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, and South China University of Technology, providing not only generous scholarships for outstanding students but also priority access to the Dow summer internship program and employment opportunities. [5]
On the evening of December 5, 2014, Dow Chemical announced that, as part of its plan to divest non-core businesses, it had agreed to sell its sodium borohydride business and a polyolefin film plant in Ohio for a combined total of approximately US$225 million. Dow was facing pressure from activist investors urging it to streamline operations and focus on high-margin products rather than commodities. In response, the company planned to raise approximately US$7 billion to US$8.5 billion by mid-2016 through the sale of non-core assets. It would sell the sodium borohydride business to Vertellus Specialty Materials LLC and the polyolefin film plant to Valfilm North American Inc. Both transactions were expected to close in early 2015. [6]
In 2015, Dow Chemical and DuPont of the United States announced a merger that would create a new company becoming the world's second-largest chemical enterprise after BASF. [1]
(Office established in 1980, Greater China regional headquarters)
(Office established in 1981, business center and production base)
(Office established in 2011)
(Office established in 1979, business center and production base)
(Office established in 1957, business center and production base)
(Office established in 1968, business center)
Approximately 3,900 employees
Greater China 2009 sales:
Conducting trade in Greater China:
Sold products through agents in mainland China in the 1930s
In April 2009, after Dow completed its acquisition of Rohm and Haas, all businesses were reorganized. The new business structure includes:
Health and Agricultural Sciences [8]
Continuously improving the important factors affecting human progress through science and technology.
Dow's emphasis on corporate social responsibility demonstrates its full engagement and care for the communities in which it operates, as well as its determination to contribute to society. Dow's CSR activities are widely recognized by sustainability institutions. In the Dow Jones Sustainability Index's comprehensive assessment of the world's 2,500 largest companies, Dow is consistently rated the leading global chemical company in this regard. As a pioneer in sustainability reporting, Dow has published public reports since 1999, informing the public of its progress in making sustainability an important part of its business.
Since beginning operations in Greater China in the 1950s, Dow has brought the world's highest global standards and professional experience in environmental protection, health, and safety (EH&S) to the regional chemical industry, while actively promoting the concept of Responsible Care. Responsible Care is a voluntary initiative of the global chemical industry aimed at achieving the safe handling of products throughout the entire process from research to production, sales, and final disposal.
As an active participant and advocate of the Responsible Care program, Dow has set very ambitious EH&S goals to achieve the zero goals of no accidents, no injuries, and no environmental damage. Dow Greater China and other Dow branches worldwide continuously and firmly strive to achieve these goals.
Around the 2011 World Earth Day, Dow Chemical joined over 1 billion people worldwide in broadly promoting the importance of protecting the planet. In recent days, Dow employees actively participated in various activities around the world, including educational activities, community events, assisting municipal street cleaning, tree planting, trail restoration, and waste recycling publicity programs.
On the occasion of Earth Day, Dow Chemical's Asia-Pacific Sustainability Network organized a group-buying event for energy- and water-saving supplies for employees at the Shanghai Dow Center, calling on employees to purchase energy-saving light bulbs and water-saving valves to raise awareness of resource conservation and encourage employees to take action to protect the environment.
Neil Hawkins, Dow's Vice President for Sustainability and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), said: Every spring, around Earth Day, we are reminded again of how beautiful our planet is. This is the moment we should reflect on what actions we can take to protect it. Dow employees around the world are joining hands with local communities to take positive actions for positive outcomes. We will continue to invest people and technology in human development, beneficial to the environment, beneficial to society, and beneficial to business. [9]
As a leading chemical enterprise, Dow clearly recognizes the importance of sustainable development and understands that knowledge of science and technology is the core of sustainable development of human society; therefore, Dow Chemical has long integrated its sustainable development strategy into its corporate culture. In 2001, in the most authoritative Dow Jones Sustainability World Index comprehensive assessment, Dow won the title of 2001 Sustainability Leader in the global chemical industry, and in 2002 stood out among the world's 2,500 largest chemical companies to be selected as the world's leading chemical company.
Dow's headquarters building in Michigan has a green roof planted with 16 species of plants that slow air movement, filter pollution, create habitat for wildlife, and manage stormwater runoff. [9]
According to the Shanghai Securities News on March 11, 2009, the most watched M&A case in the global chemical industry in 2008, Dow Chemical's acquisition of Rohm and Haas, finally cleared after twists and turns. Dow Chemical announced that it had reached an agreement with Rohm and Haas and some of its shareholders, allowing Dow to complete the acquisition by April 1, 2009, under substantially revised financial terms. [2]
The U.S. EPA's 7th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo was held in Washington, D.C. During the Expo, participants including scientists, engineers, students, government representatives, and the general public experienced numerous products and solutions that advance economic development while reducing environmental impact. Dow shared its sustainable development experience and highlighted its innovations in solar energy, water, food, packaging, home, and personal care.
As a leader in sustainable chemistry, Dow is committed to addressing the most pressing environmental challenges. From solar energy utilization and increasing crop yields to filtration systems that provide clean water, Dow offers solutions to help customers and society at large create a more sustainable world.
For example, Dow Global Technologies, LLC announced that it has developed a new, high-molecular-weight brominated polymeric flame retardant (Polymeric FR). This polymeric flame retardant is expected to become the next-generation industry-standard flame retardant, applied in global extruded polystyrene (XPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam insulation.
Dow operates facilities totaling over 10 million square feet across more than 30 countries on six continents, and while seeking development, the company continuously strives to reduce its carbon footprint, for example, at the Shanghai Dow Center, water-saving systems configured for restrooms and outdoor sprinklers reduce water consumption, and ice-storage and heat-recovery systems reduce electricity use.
At Dow's plant in Houston, Texas, at least 90% of the raw materials for building materials come from recycled materials; the plant also uses Energy Star-certified equipment and low-flow toilets with water sensors to reduce energy and water consumption.
At Dow's building in Sao Paulo, Brazil, green building features are everywhere, such as energy-saving sensors and recyclable carpets and furniture.
Dow Chemical's Greater China regional headquarters recently settled in Shanghai to further lead and advance its business including mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Dow Greater China President Peter Chow said: The Chinese market has huge potential. To enhance Dow's market position in China, we must establish an efficient management model and a China-specific market strategy, and increase investment. Mak said Dow's business in China still has enormous room for growth. He hopes that in the next few years, Dow can rapidly grow the Chinese market to replace Germany as Dow's second-largest global market.
On May 23, 2008, within 24 hours of the Wenchuan earthquake in China, Dow urgently donated RMB 2 million; facing escalating disaster conditions and rescue needs, it made additional donations to support post-disaster reconstruction. Meanwhile, Dow employees worldwide began spontaneous donation campaigns to assist affected people. Dow's cumulative cash and material donations to the disaster area reached nearly RMB 10 million.
During 2005 to 2007, Dow cooperated with China's State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) to promote clean production demonstration projects nationwide. In addition to investing RMB 6 million, Dow also provided its global technology and experience.
In 2004, sponsored and donated to the Qubing indigenous tribe in Taiwan to help residents improve their quality of life
In 2003, funded the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children to establish a children and family service center
Donated through the Red Cross Society of China to flood-affected areas in Jiangsu along the Yangtze River, for the purchase of medicines and medical equipment
During 2001 to 2002, sponsored Beijing's Hand in Hand, Earth Village project to support environmental education for Chinese children and raise funds for schools and libraries in poverty-stricken areas
Since 1998, established scholarships at renowned institutions such as Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tianjin University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and East China University of Science and Technology, to cultivate local chemical talent [5]
