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June 25, 2006

Dow Group jittery over mistaken identity

ARUN S, Tuesday, June 13, 2006

NEW DELHI, JUNE 12: The ghosts of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy continues to haunt the Dow group of companies. Even after two decades, the tragedy’s fallouts could be an impediment to the Group’s investment plans in India.

This came to light in Greenbrier, USA during an interactive session that the CEOs of a clutch of multinational companies had with minister of state for industry Ashwani Kumar.

One of those who raised concerns about possible investments in India was Dow Corning CEO Stephanie Burns. Headquartered in Michigan, Dow Corning is owned equally by the Dow Chemical Company and Corning Inc.

Even as Ms Burns showed keen interest to expand her company’s operations, she expressed the apprehension that protests over the gas tragedy in India might prove a stumbling block.

Dow Chemicals holds a part of equity in Union Carbide, the company accused of the gas tragedy.

Confirming the concerns raised by Dow Corning CEO, the minister told FE from the US that he assured her that the Indian government will act within the legal parameters and that the legitimate concerns of Dow Corning will be addressed.

When contacted, Dow Corning (India) head Raj Kapur said “We are very happy with our experience in India so far. In fact, we are committed to India and have made large investments here. Our only concern is that we don’t want to be misunderstood as the entity connected with the tragedy. We are a separate entity and have no connection with the businesses of Dow Chemicals and Union Carbide.”

French oil company Total SA’s CEO also expressed apprehension that the Petroleum Petrochemical Investment Regions may be exclusively driven by the Indian government and the public sector units.

This would not leave much choice for private initiative in the matter, he said.

Mr Kumar told FE that he informed the CEO that this was a flawed perspective and that the government was committed to being an enabler and facilitator.

He added that the government was looking forward to encouraging private sector investment in such regions.

What has given hope to the government is the positive response given by big multinationals like British Petroleum. The company’s executive Ifty Nasir reiterated its commitment to have a major presence in India, sources said.

Posted by bhola at 02:06 AM | Comments (0)

Dow to open new global facilities

6/6/2006 - Dow Biocides and the Angus Chemical Company are to introduce five regional customer application canters around the world.

Owned by the Dow Chemical Company, the two firms said the move is designed to align their business growth strategies with direct market and customer focus.

The new centers, expected to be operational by the end of the year, will be opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Tokyo, Japan; Guangzhou, China; and Prune, India.

Angus and Dow Biocides already have established centers in Horgen, Switzerland, Singapore and Shanghai, China, as well as a global business and technology development location in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

“Helping customers solve their individual challenges is the main drive for our new business organization,” said Mark Henning, general manager for Dow Biocides and Chief executive officer and general manager for Angus.

“We will continue to offer access to our global processes and technologies, but with the added benefit of local implementation, combining our specialty knowledge of the additives and biocides industries with an understanding of the specific requirements in each region, and utilizing focused resources who understand the needs of each market,” he added.

According to the company, each facility will house a full laboratory, including its patented Taunovatesm high throughput microbial testing and challenge testing capabilities.

Dow Biocides and Angus also said they have restructured its marketing and sales forces to reflect their business objectives. The new “streamlined” structure means that marketing efforts no longer overlap between businesses.

In cosmetics, Dow Biocides products are used in hair care, eye area, lotions, creams, sun tanning, and baby care formulas to prevent the growth of microorganisms both in the unopened product and while the formulation is in use.

Posted by bhola at 01:37 AM | Comments (0)

June 13, 2006

Dow running scared in India

Financial Express

Dow Group jittery over mistaken identity

ARUN S
Posted online: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

NEW DELHI, JUNE 12: The ghosts of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy continues to haunt the Dow group of companies. Even after two decades, the tragedy’s fallouts could be an impediment to the Group’s investment plans in India.

This came to light in Greenbrier, USA during an interactive session that the CEOs of a clutch of multinational companies had with minister of state for industry Ashwani Kumar.

One of those who raised concerns about possible investments in India was Dow Corning CEO Stephanie Burns. Headquartered in Michigan, Dow Corning is owned equally by the Dow Chemical Company and Corning Inc.

Even as Ms Burns showed keen interest to expand her company’s operations, she expressed the apprehension that protests over the gas tragedy in India might prove a stumbling block.

Dow Chemicals holds a part of equity in Union Carbide, the company accused of the gas tragedy.

Confirming the concerns raised by Dow Corning CEO, the minister told FE from the US that he assured her that the Indian government will act within the legal parameters and that the legitimate concerns of Dow Corning will be addressed.

When contacted, Dow Corning (India) head Raj Kapur said “We are very happy with our experience in India so far. In fact, we are committed to India and have made large investments here. Our only concern is that we don’t want to be misunderstood as the entity connected with the tragedy. We are a separate entity and have no connection with the businesses of Dow Chemicals and Union Carbide.”

French oil company Total SA’s CEO also expressed apprehension that the Petroleum Petrochemical Investment Regions may be exclusively driven by the Indian government and the public sector units.

This would not leave much choice for private initiative in the matter, he said.

Mr Kumar told FE that he informed the CEO that this was a flawed perspective and that the government was committed to being an enabler and facilitator.

He added that the government was looking forward to encouraging private sector investment in such regions.

What has given hope to the government is the positive response given by big multinationals like British Petroleum. The company’s executive Ifty Nasir reiterated its commitment to have a major presence in India, sources said.

Posted by tim at 01:40 PM | Comments (0)