Businessweek

The Dow Chemical Company engages in the manufacture and supply of products used primarily as raw materials in the manufacture of customer products and services. Strategy The company’s strategy is to preferentially invest in a portfolio of technology-integrated, market-driven performance businesses that create value for its stockholders and growth for its customers, as well as manage a portfolio of asset-integrated, building-block businesses to generate value for its downstream portfolio. Segments The company operates through six segments, including Electronic and Functional Materials; Coatings and Infrastructure Solutions; Agricultural Sciences; Performance Materials; Performance Plastics; and Feedstocks and Energy. ELECTRONIC AND FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS This segment consists of two businesses, Dow Electronic Materials and Functional Materials. The company develops and markets customized materials using advanced technology and chemistries for specialty applications ranging from semiconductors and liquid crystal displays to microbial protection for the oil and gas industry and cellulosics for pharmaceutical drug formulation and healthier foods. Dow Electronic Materials Dow Electronic Materials supplies materials for applications, such as consumer electronic devices, flat-panel displays and telecommunications. The business produces materials for chemical mechanical planarization; materials used in the production of electronic displays, including films and filters; metalorganic precursors for light-emitting diodes; organic light-emitting diode materials; products and technologies that drive semiconductor design; materials used in the fabrication of printed circuit boards; and integrated metallization processes for metal finishing and decorative applications. Dow Electronic Materials consists of four principal businesses, including semiconductor technologies; interconnect technologies; display technologies; and growth technologies. Functional Materials The Functional Materials portfolio of businesses creates performance-enhancing solutions that enable customers to differentiate their products in the global pharmaceutical, food, water, energy and home and personal care markets. This group also provides key materials for industrial uses worldwide. Functional Materials principal businesses include Dow consumer and industrial solutions; Dow microbial control; and Dow wolff cellulosics. Competition The company’s competitors for this segment include Ashland, BASF, JSR Micro, Lonza, and Shin-Etsu Chemical. Joint Ventures The company owns 50 percent interest in Dow Corning Corporation that manufactures silicone and silicone products. COATINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS This segment consists of portfolio of businesses utilizing advanced technology to deliver products ranging from low volatile organic compound (VOC) coatings to building insulations and adhesives to next-generation solar and water technologies. The segment has broad geographic reach with sales in approximately 140 countries. Dow Building and Construction The Dow Building and Construction business consists of three global businesses, such as Dow Building Solutions, Dow Construction Chemicals and Dow Solar Solutions that offer extensive lines of insulation, housewrap, sealant and adhesive products and systems, as well as construction chemical solutions and building-integrated photovoltaics. Dow Coating Materials: The Dow Coating Materials business manufactures and delivers solutions that utilize technologically advanced product offerings for architectural paint and coatings, as well as, industrial coatings applications, including packaging, pipelines, wood, automotive, marine, maintenance and protective industries. The company engages in the conversion of solvent to water-based technologies, which enable customers to offer low VOC paints and other sustainable coatings. Dow Water and Process Solutions: Dow Water and Process Solutions is a provider of purification and separation technologies. The business provides the critical technology, including reverse osmosis membranes and ion exchange resins, to help customers