Dow Chemical Co. is looking to make another big move away from its traditional businesses. The company announced on Dec. 2 that it would spin off its epoxy business as well as chlorine-related businesses. The story is featured in this week's Material Insights video.
The Dow units employ almost 2,000 and have annual sales of about $5 billion.
Dow makes epoxy at U.S. plants in Texas and Georgia as well as at four plants in Europe, two in Asia and one in Brazil. The spinoff also includes Dow's chlor-alkali, chlor-vinyl, chlorinated organics and brine operations. Those are among the firm's oldest remaining businesses.
In addition to spinning off the units, Dow said they are looking to possibly sell them.
In announcing the changes, Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris said that the businesses being spun off have served Dow well over decades but are serving markets that Dow has exited over time
Other news in the video include details on two acquisitions that were announced last week, as 2013 draws to a close, and a story about a major infrastructure announcement in Mount Vernon, Ind., by Sabic Innovative Plastics.