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WEB EXCLUSIVE

Dow Chemical to Reinvest in Louisiana

The Dow Chemical Company biocides business plans to build a new, integrated Vinyl Methyl Ether (VME) facility at its St. Charles Operations in Hahnville, La. This facility will replace an existing plant in West Virginia. It is expected to start up during the first half of 2008, then migrate production to Louisiana in the second half of that year. VME is the starting block chemical for biocide and fungicide applications, commonly used in antimicrobial products, water treatment products, leather tanning, sanitizers and preservatives. Dow decided to move the plant after evaluating the investment needed to upgrade the West Virginia facility, high raw material transportation costs and escalating infrastructure costs. By locating at the company’s St. Charles Operations, Dow will reap the benefits of shared facilities, on-site raw materials and reduced transportation costs. At this time, the number of affected jobs is unknown, but 15-20 employees currently support biocides operations in West Virginia. St. Charles Operations are owned and operated by Union Carbide Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.