The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), commonly referred to as Dow, is an American multinational chemical corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan. Dow provides chemical, plastic, and agricultural products and services to consumer markets that include food, transportation, health and medicine, personal care and construction, and operates in approximately 180 countries. As of 2014, Dow ranked third in chemical production (after BASF and Sinopec), and as of 2015, was the third largest chemical company in the world by revenue (after Sinopec and BASF). Dow was also the world's largest chlorine producer, with 5.7 billion tons a year of production before Dow's association with Olin was formed; was ranked as the world's largest plastics manufacturer during 2008, and the largest manufacturer of polyalkylene glycols in 2013. Dow's principal lines of business include Agricultural Sciences, Consumer Solutions, Infrastructure Solutions, Performance Materials & Chemicals, and Performance Plastics. It employs approximately 53,000 people worldwide. Dow's 2014 sales totaled approximately $58.2 billion. Dow has been called the "chemical companies' chemical company" in that most of its sales are to other industries rather than end-users, although Dow sells directly to end-users primarily in the human and animal health, agriculture and consumer products markets. The company was founded in 1897 by Canadian-born chemist Herbert Henry Dow. After a period of major diversification it became a major chemical company, a significant player in the world market, and a part of the military-industrial war effort during both World Wars.
