Sector News

Dow shuts down Midland site amid heavy flooding

May 22, 2020
Energy & Chemical Value Chain

Rising floodwaters have forced Dow to completely shut down operations at its Midland, Michigan, headquarters facility. Other companies with production at the site include Cabot, Corteva Agriscience, and Trinseo.

“Dow has activated its local emergency operations center and is implementing its flood preparedness plan, which includes the safe shutdown of operating units on site,” says a company spokesman. “Only essential Dow staff needed to monitor the situation and manage any issues as a result of the flooding remain on site.”

The Tittabawassee River, which runs through Midland, surpassed major flood stage Tuesday morning following heavy rains, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). One dam upstream of Midland breached Tuesday evening, and another is at risk. The NWS expects the flooding to rise another 10 feet by the end of Wednesday, and 10,000 area residents have been evacuated amid warnings of flash floods.

Dow produces a wide range of products at Midland, including polyvinylidene chloride copolymer resins (SARAN), ion-exchange resins, cellulose derivatives, silicones, methyl chloride, and monochloroacetic acid, according to the IHS Markit Directory of Chemical Producers.

Cabot produces fumed silica at Midland. Corteva produces chlorpyrifos, diclosulam, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetates (2,4-D), and several other agrichemicals. Trinseo produces acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and styrene-butadiene latex.

By: Clay Boswell

Source: Chemical Week

comments closed

Related News

April 20, 2024

Borealis makes multi-million investment in Finnish cracker furnaces

Energy & Chemical Value Chain

The investment enables the steam cracker to increase the share of renewable and recycled raw materials used in its (ethylene and propylene) production. The move supports the Borealis Strategy 2030 for a circular economy. The Porvoo investment program is expected to be completed in 2025.

April 20, 2024

BP cuts down leadership team to ten members

Energy & Chemical Value Chain

Murray Auchincloss, bp’s CEO, said in a statement: “As I set out in February, BP’s destination from IOC [international oil company] to IEC [integrated energy company] is unchanged – and we need to deliver as a simpler, more focused, and higher-value company.

April 20, 2024

Versalis buys Italian compounder Tecnofilm

Energy & Chemical Value Chain

Founded in 1972, Tecnofilm has expanded its product portfolio over the years to offer a wider range of compounds and functional polymers for various industrial applications and technical articles. The company has patented several of its products.

How can we help you?

We're easy to reach