Dow Chemical Company Summary

Company Description
Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow’s industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses deliver a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. The company’s more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. The company’s operating segments include Electronic and Specialty Materials, Coatings and Infrastructure, Health and Agricultural Sciences, Performance Systems, Performance Products, Basic Plastics, Basic Chemicals and Hydrocarbons and Energy. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide.

Since 1990, Dow has reduced its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 percent, a more rapid reduction than required by Kyoto Protocol targets. Since 1994, Dow has saved 1,600 trillion BTU of energy through the company’s energy efficiency program. This savings is equivalent to the energy needed to generate the electricity used in all the residential houses in California for one year. Dow’s energy efficiency program has resulted in energy savings of $8.6 billion dollars. Additionally, these reductions prevented 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

CEO: Andrew N. Liveris; Revenues: $54.99 Billion ; Employees: 50,012

Climate Change Targets
Dow aims to reduce global intensity (Btu/lb) of its operations by 25 percent by 2015 based on a 2005 baseline. By improving energy efficiency and implementing technology improvements, Dow’s goal is to reduce GHG intensity 2.5 percent per year from 2005 to 2015. Additionally by 2025, Dow aims to reduce absolute emissions within the company.

Climate and Energy Strategies

Technology Solutions (C2ES's Climate Techbook [5] Factsheets)

Residential End-Use Efficiency (C2ES Factsheet [6], Company Web Site [7])
Natural Gas (C2ES Factsheet [8], Company Web Site [9])

Relevant Links: Dow Company Web Site [10], Dow Sustainability Web Site [11], Dow Sustainability-Climate Change Web Site [12], Dow Energy and Climate Change Vision Paper [13]

short description:

Dow [14]is a diversified chemical company that produces plastics, chemicals, and agricultural products

Energy Efficiency Initiatives

Success Stories Summary:

Since 1994, Dow has saved 1,600 trillion BTU of energy through the company’s energy efficiency program. This savings is equivalent to the energy needed to generate the electricity used in all the residential houses in California for one year. Dow’s energy efficiency program has resulted in energy savings of $8.6 billion dollars. Additionally, these reductions prevented 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

Internal Operations summary:

Since 1994, Dow has saved 1,600 trillion BTU of energy through the company’s energy efficiency program. This savings is equivalent to the energy needed to generate the electricity used in all the residential houses in California for one year. Dow’s energy efficiency program has resulted in energy savings of $8.6 billion dollars. Additionally, these reductions prevented 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
Dow Chemical has a 10 year energy goal to improve energy efficiency 25 percent by 2015 against a 2005 baseline.
Dow Chemical encourages virtual meetings to avoid business travel, and has expanded the number of roles filled from virtual (home) office locations, which reduces employee commuting.

Brief Description of Dow Chemical:

Dow is a leading diversified chemical company that combines human innovation, science, and technology to deliver products and services in about 160 countries. With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, the Midland, Michigan-based company helps provide a range of products and services, including fresh water, food, pharmaceuticals, paints, packaging, and personal care products. Visit the Dow website for more information [15].

Dow Chemical and Climate Change:

Since 1990, Dow has reduced its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 percent, a more rapid reduction than required by Kyoto Protocol targets. Through its conservation and efficiency efforts, Dow has reduced its energy usage by 1,400 trillion BTUs since 1994, equal to the electricity used by California households for 16 months. These actions by Dow have resulted in preventing 70 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.