Overview
Dow Inc. is a major global chemical and materials company headquartered in Midland, Michigan. Founded in 1897 by chemist Herbert Henry Dow, the company has evolved into a diversified chemical and plastics producer with approximately 35,900 employees across manufacturing sites in 31 countries. Dow is a market leader in polyolefins, polyurethane precursors, specialty polymers, and chemicals serving diverse industrial sectors globally.
The company operates through multiple business segments focused on core chemistry, plastics, and advanced materials. Dow maintains commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and increasingly, sustainable material solutions addressing evolving customer and market demands.
Primary Materials & Products
Polyolefins:
- Polyethylene (PE) in multiple grades
- Polypropylene (PP) compounds
- Specialty polyolefin grades
- High-performance polyolefins
- Polyolefin additives and modifiers
Polyurethane Precursors:
- MDI (Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) products
- Polyols and polyol systems
- TDI (Toluene diisocyanate) products
- Polyurethane intermediates
- Specialty urethane systems
Specialty Polymers & Materials:
- Advanced polymer compounds
- Engineering plastics
- Specialty chemical polymers
- Performance materials
- Advanced material solutions
Chemical Portfolio:
- Industrial chemicals
- Specialty chemicals
- Process chemicals
- Functional additives
- Industrial intermediates
Market Segments
Dow serves diverse global industries with chemical and material solutions:
- Packaging & Consumer Goods: Films, containers, protective materials
- Automotive: Lightweight materials, components, adhesives
- Construction & Building: Insulation, weatherproofing, durable materials
- Electronics & Electrical: High-performance polymers, electronic materials
- Healthcare & Medical: Medical device materials, pharmaceutical chemicals
- Industrial Applications: Specialty chemicals for manufacturing processes
- Coatings & Adhesives: Specialty resins and binder systems
- Textiles: Polymers for fiber and textile applications
Business Segments
Dow operates through specialized divisions:
Packaging & Specialty Plastics:
- Polyolefin production and development
- Recyclability and sustainability focus
- Advanced plastics for packaging
- Circular economy material development
Performance Materials & Coatings:
- Polyurethane precursors
- Specialty chemical products
- Coating and adhesive systems
- Advanced material solutions
Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure:
- Base chemical production
- Chemical intermediates
- Raw material supply
- Process chemical manufacturing
Manufacturing & Global Operations
Production Infrastructure:
- Manufacturing sites across 31 countries
- Advanced production technologies
- Integrated supply chains
- Quality assurance systems
- Sustainable manufacturing practices
Strategic Locations:
- North America (primary hub in Michigan)
- Europe and Middle East operations
- Asia-Pacific manufacturing
- Latin America operations
Sustainability & Circularity
Environmental Commitment:
- Development of recyclable plastics
- Circular economy focus
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Waste reduction initiatives
- Sustainable sourcing
Product Innovation:
- Advanced recyclable polymers
- Reduced-impact materials
- Sustainability-focused solutions
- Performance improvement with recycled content
Research & Development
Dow maintains extensive R&D capabilities:
- Innovation Centers: Multiple R&D facilities globally
- Focus Areas: Advanced materials, sustainability, process innovation
- Collaboration: University and industry partnerships
- Technology Development: Next-generation material solutions
Industry Leadership
As a major global chemical and plastics manufacturer, Dow serves as a key supplier to packaging, automotive, construction, and industrial customers. The company’s scale, technical expertise, and global supply chain enable reliable delivery of advanced chemicals and materials.
Strategic Partnerships
Dow collaborates with:
- Technology partners and suppliers
- Research institutions
- Customer companies
- Sustainability-focused organizations
- Industry associations
Future Outlook
Dow continues to advance material innovation and sustainability, with focus on:
- Circular economy plastic solutions
- Advanced material development
- Operational efficiency
- Customer collaboration
- Sustainable chemistry
Last updated: February 13, 2026