Dow Chemical to divest US$5B chlorine, chlorinated organics and epoxy resins businesses by Q3, as new units are being launched with start-up of Dow-Mitsui JV

Elyse Blye

LONDON , May 21, 2014 (ICIS Chemical Business (CBNB Abstracts) ) – Dow Chemical's $5 bn chlorine, chlorinated organics and epoxy resins businesses, which cover nearly 2000 staff working in nearly 40 manufacturing facilities at 11 sites, have been set for divestment by 3Q 2014. Dow's chlorinated organics assets include the following: the chlor-alkali and chlor-vinyl units in Plaquemine, LA, and Freeport, TX; a stake in Dow Mitsui chlor-alkali joint venture in Freeport; and chlorinated organics units in Stade, Germany, and in Freeport and Plaquemine. Dow's epoxy resins units operate in the following locations: Guaruja (Brazil), Zhangjiagang (China), Baltringen, Rheinmuenster and Stade (Germany), Pisticci (Italy), Gumi (South Korea) and Freeport and Roberta, GA (US). As new units are launched with the start-up of the Dow-Mitsui joint venture in early 2014, the company has initiated the closure of about 800,000 tonnes/y in combined chlorine and caustic soda capacity in Freeport. A 70% reduction would be seen for the firm's chlorine consumption, which is needed mostly for its agricultural chemicals and polyurethanes businesses.

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