Dow Thanks All Frontline Employees and Workers
"Amid COVID-19 uncertainty, our frontline responders make me certain we will persevere. We owe them our gratitude and all the support we can." Jim Fitterling, CEO
Meeting critical needs
These are extraordinary times. This crisis has shattered so many hearts around the world, and our thoughts and prayers are with those victims.
We have a responsibility to support the people and supply chains that are vital to containing COVID-19 and maintaining our collective well-being. We’re especially indebted to the heroes who are risking their lives to treat the sick.
As a manufacturer of the raw materials behind personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer, disinfectants, IV bags, food ingredients and packaging, it's our duty to help meet the overwhelming demand for these and many other supplies.
Right now, there are well-publicized supply shortages in many of these areas. That's why – even as we double and triple-down on employee safety procedures – the vast majority of our operations are running full steam ahead.
To this end, the chemical sector has been designated as critical infrastructure in many of the worlds’ largest economies, therefore our manufacturing sites are widely excluded from governmental shutdown orders. We continue to follow all guidelines issued by the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as we manage daily operations. Local laws and restrictions in specific countries around the world are also being followed.
These are some of the critical applications Dow materials help produce:
Medical equipment and infrastructure
Applications
- Device components
- Hospital beds
- Hospital construction
- Hospital interiors
- IV components and other drug delivery
- Medical parts and kits
Dow products and chemistries
- Acrylate polymers
- Cellulose ethers
- Polyethylene
- Polyurethanes
- Silicones
- Vinyl precursors
Medical supplies and PPE
Applications
- Bandages
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable non-woven plastics
- Hand sanitizers
- Medical adhesives
- Medical labels
- Medical soaps
- Medical supply packaging
- Pharmaceuticals
- Surface sanitizers
- Surgical masks
- Vials, tubes, ampules
- Wipes and tissues
Dow products and chemistries
- Acrylate polymers
- Alcohols
- Cellulose ethers
- Chelants
- Ethylene copolymers
- Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide derivatives
- Polyethylene
- Polyurethanes
- Silicones
Hygiene and sanitation
Applications
- Detergent and bleach packaging
- Dish detergents
- Disinfectants
- Food supply and packaging
- Hand sanitizers
- Hard surface cleaners
- Laundry detergents
- Shampoos
- Soaps and body washes
Dow products and chemistries
- Acrylate polymers
- Alcohols
- Amines
- Cellulose ethers
- Chelants
- Ethylene copolymers
- Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide derivatives
- Polyethylene
- Silicones
Employee safety
Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees – in our manufacturing sites, R&D facilities, and sales and administrative offices around the world. That's why we've implemented strict hygiene practices and are taking every possible precaution to protect each member of the Dow family. Some of these measures include:
- Redoubling cleaning efforts across all sites
- Temperature screening
- Providing hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial surface wipes
- Posting guidelines at site entry and exit points
- Promoting personal hygiene
- Ensuring ongoing stock and supply of PPE
How we're helping
We're continually exploring new ways to put our assets to good use at this critical moment in history – especially for healthcare professionals, first responders, warehouse managers, engineers, manufacturing operators, grocery store workers and public servants. Here’s what we’ve done to date:
- Ramped up raw material production for critically needed products
- Adapted operations to directly manufacture hand sanitizer
- Committed $3 million to aid worldwide relief efforts
Operating status
Defense Production Act (DPA)
President Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act in response to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. This act provides the President with broad powers to direct U.S. industries to prioritize the production of medical supplies and personal protective equipment. Like many other private sector companies, Dow is already working with governments and prioritizating our resources aimed at mitigating the impact and spread of COVID-19. To date, we have not been required by the government to re-deploy our assets or operational activities, therefore we continue to allocate volume in accordance with the terms of our contractual commitments.
