Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

Commission File Number:  1-3433

THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   38-1285128

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2030 DOW CENTER, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN 48674

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

989-636-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                                                                         þ   Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).                                                                                                                                                                                       þ  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  Large accelerated filer   þ   Accelerated filer   ¨
  Non-accelerated filer   ¨   Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).                                                                                                                                                                                        ¨  Yes    þ   No

 

Class   Outstanding at September 30, 2010
Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share   1,160,715,964 shares


Table of Contents

 

The Dow Chemical Company

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

             PAGE  

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  
 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements.

     3   
   

Consolidated Statements of Income

     3   
   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     4   
   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     5   
   

Consolidated Statements of Equity

     6   
   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

     7   
   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     8   
 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

     49   
   

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Information

     49   
   

Results of Operations

     50   
   

Changes in Financial Condition

     69   
   

Other Matters

     72   
 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

     76   
 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures.

     77   

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

  
 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings.

     78   
 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors.

     78   
 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

     78   
 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits.

     78   

SIGNATURE

     80   

EXHIBIT INDEX

     81   

 

2


Table of Contents

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

    

Three Months Ended

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 

 
In millions, except per share amounts (Unaudited)   

Sept. 30,

 

2010

   

Sept. 30,

 

2009

   

Sept. 30,

 

2010

    

Sept. 30,

 

2009

 

Net Sales

   $ 12,868      $ 12,046      $ 39,903       $ 32,409   

 Cost of sales

     10,841        10,386        33,962         28,288   

 Research and development expenses

     403        400        1,217         1,073   

 Selling, general and administrative expenses

     640        683        1,950         1,789   

 Amortization of intangibles

     124        108        377         242   

 Restructuring charges

     -          -          29         681   

 Acquisition and integration related expenses

     35        21        98         121   

 Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates

     251        224        799         411   

 Sundry income (expense) - net

     (10     813        168         833   

 Interest income

     7        6        24         27   

 Interest expense and amortization of debt discount

     362        488        1,105         1,167   

Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

     711        1,003        2,156         319   

 Provision (Credit) for income taxes

     114        204        348         (69

Net Income from Continuing Operations

     597        799        1,808         388   

 Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

            (4     -           110   

Net Income

     597        795        1,808         498   

 Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     -          (1     9         22   

Net Income Attributable to The Dow Chemical Company

     597        796        1,799         476   

 Preferred stock dividends

     85        85        255         227   

Net Income Available for The Dow Chemical Company Common Stockholders

   $ 512      $ 711      $ 1,544       $ 249   
                                   

Per Common Share Data:

                                 

 Net income from continuing operations available for common stockholders

   $ 0.45      $ 0.65      $ 1.37       $ 0.13   

 Discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders

     -          (0.01     -           0.11   

 Earnings per common share - basic

   $ 0.45      $ 0.64      $ 1.37       $ 0.24   
                                   

 Net income from continuing operations available for common stockholders

   $ 0.45      $ 0.64      $ 1.35       $ 0.13   

 Discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders

     -          (0.01     -           0.11   

 Earnings per common share - diluted

   $ 0.45      $ 0.63      $ 1.35       $ 0.24   
                                   

Common stock dividends declared per share of common stock

   $ 0.15      $ 0.15      $ 0.45       $ 0.45   

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic

     1,128.0        1,108.4        1,123.6         1,020.0   

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted

     1,145.5        1,120.7        1,140.7         1,029.4   
                                   

Depreciation

   $ 555      $ 601      $ 1,717       $ 1,680   

Capital Expenditures

   $ 497      $ 266      $ 1,188       $ 825   

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

 

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 In millions    (Unaudited)

  

Sept. 30,

 

2010

   

Dec. 31, 

 

2009 

 
   

Assets

    
   

Current Assets

    

      Cash and cash equivalents (variable interest entities restricted - 2010: $101)

   $ 3,223      $ 2,846    
 

Marketable securities and interest-bearing deposits

     4          
 

Accounts and notes receivable:

    
 

Trade (net of allowance for doubtful receivables - 2010: $136; 2009: $160)

     4,899        5,656    
 

Other

     4,675        3,539    
 

Inventories

     7,283        6,847    
 

Deferred income tax assets - current

     585        654    
     
 

Total current assets

     20,669        19,542    
   

 Investments

    
 

Investment in nonconsolidated affiliates

     3,271        3,224    
 

Other investments (investments carried at fair value - 2010: $2,175; 2009: $2,136)

     2,625        2,561    
 

Noncurrent receivables

     343        210    
     
 

Total investments

     6,239        5,995    
   

 Property

    
 

Property

     51,025        53,567    
 

Accumulated depreciation

     33,609        35,426    
     
 

Net property (variable interest entities restricted - 2010: $1,114)

     17,416        18,141    
   

 Other Assets

    
 

Goodwill

     13,000        13,213    
 

Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization - 2010: $1,654; 2009: $1,302)

     5,625        5,966    
 

Deferred income tax assets - noncurrent

     1,866        2,039    
 

Asbestos-related insurance receivables - noncurrent

     250        330    
 

Deferred charges and other assets

     936        792    
     
 

Total other assets

     21,677        22,340    
   

 Total Assets

   $ 66,001      $ 66,018    
   

 Liabilities and Equity

    
   

 Current Liabilities

    
 

Notes payable

   $ 1,329      $ 2,139    
 

Long-term debt due within one year

     1,772        1,082    
 

Accounts payable:

    
 

Trade

     3,978        4,153    
 

Other

     2,025        2,014    
 

Income taxes payable

     291        176    
 

Deferred income tax liabilities - current

     98        78    
 

Dividends payable

     256        254    
 

Accrued and other current liabilities

     3,410        3,209    
     
 

Total current liabilities

     13,159        13,105    
   

 Long-Term Debt

     18,030        19,152    
   

 Other Noncurrent Liabilities

    
 

Deferred income tax liabilities - noncurrent

     1,301        1,367    
 

Pension and other postretirement benefits - noncurrent

     7,299        7,242    
 

Asbestos-related liabilities - noncurrent

     735        734    
 

Other noncurrent obligations

     2,873        3,294    
     
 

Total other noncurrent liabilities

     12,208        12,637    
   

 Stockholders’ Equity

    
 

Preferred stock, series A ($1.00 par, $1,000 liquidation preference, 4,000,000 shares)

     4,000        4,000    
 

Common stock

     2,919        2,906    
 

Additional paid-in capital

     2,116        1,913    
 

Retained earnings

     17,478        16,704    
 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,810     (3,892)   
 

Unearned ESOP shares

     (484     (519)   
 

Treasury stock at cost

     (313     (557)   
     
 

The Dow Chemical Company’s stockholders’ equity

     21,906        20,555    
     
 

Noncontrolling interests

     698        569    
   
 

Total equity

     22,604        21,124    
   

 Total Liabilities and Equity

   $ 66,001      $ 66,018    

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

 

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

         Nine Months Ended  
In millions    (Unaudited)   

Sept. 30,

2010

   

Sept. 30, 

2009 

 
   

Operating Activities

    
 

Net Income

   $ 1,808      $ 498   
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    
 

Depreciation and amortization

     2,207        2,023    
 

Provision (Credit) for deferred income tax

     32        (520)   
 

Earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates less than (in excess of) dividends received

     (241     260    
 

Pension contributions

     (177     (201)   
 

Net loss (gain) on sales of investments

     1        (66)   
 

Net loss (gain) on sales of property, businesses and consolidated companies

     52        (189)   
 

Other net gain

     (16     (2)   
 

Net gain on sales of ownership interest in nonconsolidated affiliates

     (25     (785)   
 

Restructuring charges

     29        676    
 

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     (3       
 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquired and divested companies:

    
 

Accounts and notes receivable

     (1,539     (1,277)   
 

Proceeds from interests in trade accounts receivable conduits

     818          
 

Inventories

     (946     (60)   
 

Accounts payable

     (139     (178)   
 

Other assets and liabilities

     406        492    
     
 

Cash provided by operating activities

     2,267        671    
   

Investing Activities

    
 

Capital expenditures

     (1,188     (825)   
 

Proceeds from sales of property, businesses and consolidated companies

     1,716        278    
 

Acquisitions of businesses

     (7       
 

Purchases of previously leased assets

     (45     (713)   
 

Investments in consolidated companies, net of cash acquired

     (167     (14,838)   
 

Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates

     (101     (115)   
 

Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates

     24          
 

Proceeds from sales of nonconsolidated affiliates

     113        1,403    
 

Purchase of unallocated Rohm and Haas ESOP shares

            (552)   
 

Purchases of investments

     (742     (300)   
 

Change in restricted cash

     436          
 

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

     742        440    
     
 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     781        (15,215)   
   

Financing Activities

    
 

Changes in short-term notes payable

     (740     (892)   
 

Proceeds from notes payable

     84          
 

Payments on notes payable

     (668       
 

Proceeds from revolving credit facility

            3,000    
 

Payments on revolving credit facility

            (2,100)   
 

Proceeds from Term Loan

            9,226    
 

Payments on Term Loan

            (8,226)   
 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     539        8,005    
 

Payments on long-term debt

     (1,374     (1,576)   
 

Redemption of preferred securities of subsidiaries and payment of accrued dividends

            (520)   
 

Purchases of treasury stock

     (14     (5)   
 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     92        966    
 

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

            7,000    
 

Proceeds from sales of common stock

     70        554    
 

Issuance costs for debt and equity securities

            (368)   
 

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     3          
 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (7     (24)   
 

Dividends paid to stockholders

     (760     (779)   
     
 

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (2,775     14,261    
   

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

     58        64    
   

Cash Assumed in Initial Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

     46          
   

Summary

    
 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     377        (219)   
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     2,846        2,800    
     
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 3,223      $ 2,581    
   

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Equity

 

         Nine Months Ended  

In millions    (Unaudited)

   Sept. 30,
2010
    Sept. 30, 
2009 
 

Preferred Stock

    
 

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 4,000          
 

Preferred stock issued

     -      $ 7,000    
 

Preferred stock repurchased

     -        (2,500)   
 

Preferred stock converted to common stock

     -        (500)   
     
 

Balance at end of period

     4,000        4,000    
   

Common Stock

    
 

Balance at beginning of year

     2,906      $ 2,453    
 

Common stock issued

     13        453    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     2,919        2,906    
   

Additional Paid-in Capital

    
 

Balance at beginning of year

     1,913        872    
 

Common stock issued

     79        2,643    
 

Sale of shares to ESOP

     -          (1,529)   
 

Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares

     124        39    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     2,116        2,025    
   

Retained Earnings

    
 

Balance at beginning of year

     16,704        17,013    
 

Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders

     1,544        249    
 

Dividends declared on common stock (Per share: $0.45 in 2010, $0.45 in 2009)

     (507     (471)   
 

Other

     (15     (6)   
 

Impact of adoption of ASU 2009-17, net of tax

     (248       
     
 

Balance at end of period

     17,478        16,785    
   

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

    
 

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments at beginning of year

     79        (111)   
 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses)

     35        158    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     114        47    
     
 

Cumulative Translation Adjustments at beginning of year

     624        221    
 

Translation adjustments

     (154     331    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     470        552    
     
 

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans at beginning of year

     (4,587     (4,251)   
 

Adjustments to pension and other postretirement benefit plans

     201        64    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     (4,386     (4,187)   
     
 

Accumulated Derivative Loss at beginning of year

     (8     (248)   
 

Net hedging results

     (15     (68)   
 

Reclassification to earnings

     15        291    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     (8     (25)   
     
 

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,810     (3,613)   
   

Unearned ESOP Shares

    
 

Balance at beginning of year

     (519       
 

Shares acquired

     (1     (553)   
 

Shares allocated to ESOP participants

     36        25    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     (484     (528)   
   

Treasury Stock

    
 

Balance at beginning of year

     (557     (2,438)   
 

Purchases

     (14     (5)   
 

Sale of shares to ESOP

     -        1,529    
 

Issuance to employees and employee plans

     258        68    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     (313     (846)   

The Dow Chemical Company’s Stockholders’ Equity

     21,906        20,729    
   

Noncontrolling Interests

    
 

Balance at beginning of year

     569        69    
 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     9        22    
 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (7     (24)   
 

Acquisition of Rohm and Haas Company noncontrolling interests

     -        432    
 

Impact of adoption of ASU 2009-17

     100          
 

Other

     27        17    
     
 

Balance at end of period

     698        516    
   

Total Equity

   $ 22,604      $ 21,245    
   

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

 

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

         Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  

In millions    (Unaudited)

   Sept. 30,
2010
    Sept. 30,
2009
    Sept. 30,
2010
    Sept. 30, 
2009 
 
   

Net Income

   $ 597      $ 795      $ 1,808      $ 498    
   

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax

        
 

Net change in unrealized gains on investments

     54        107        35        158    
 

Translation adjustments

     868        233        (154     331    
 

Adjustments to pension and other postretirement benefit plans

     52        25        201        64    
  Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedging derivative instruments      (4     69        -          223    
     
 

Total other comprehensive income

     970        434        82        776    
   

Comprehensive Income

     1,567        1,229        1,890        1,274    
   
 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

     -          (1     9        22    
   

Comprehensive Income Attributable to The Dow Chemical Company

   $ 1,567      $ 1,230      $ 1,881      $ 1,252    
   

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

 

   The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries
   PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Item 1. Financial Statements.
(Unaudited)    Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents

 

Note

        Page   
A   

Consolidated Financial Statements

     8   
B   

Recent Accounting Guidance

     8   
C   

Restructuring

     9   
D   

Acquisition

     11   
E   

Divestitures

     12   
F   

Inventories

     14   
G   

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

     14   
H   

Financial Instruments

     16   
I   

Fair Value Measurements

     24   
J   

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

     26   
K   

Transfers of Financial Assets

     33   
L   

Variable Interest Entities

     35   
M   

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

     37   
N   

Stock-Based Compensation

     37   
O   

Income Taxes

     38   
P   

Earnings Per Share Calculations

     39   
Q   

Operating Segments and Geographic Areas

     40   

NOTE A – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries (“Dow” or the “Company”) were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) which, in the opinion of management, are considered necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Certain changes to prior year balance sheet amounts have been made in accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations to reflect adjustments made during the measurement period to provisional amounts recorded for assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Rohm and Haas Company (“Rohm and Haas”) on April 1, 2009.

NOTE B – RECENT ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.” This ASU is intended to improve the information provided in financial statements concerning transfers of financial assets, including the effects of transfers on financial position, financial performance and cash flows, and any continuing involvement of the transferor with the transferred financial assets. The Company evaluated the impact of adopting the guidance and the terms and conditions in place at January 1, 2010 and determined that certain sales of accounts receivable would be classified as secured borrowings. Under the Company’s sale of accounts receivable arrangements, $915 million was outstanding at January 1, 2010. The maximum amount of receivables available for participation in these programs was $1,939 million at January 1, 2010. See Note K for additional information about transfers of financial assets.

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASU 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities,” which amended the consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities and required additional disclosures concerning an enterprise’s continuing involvement with variable interest entities. The Company evaluated the impact of this guidance and determined that the adoption resulted in the consolidation of two additional joint ventures, an owner trust and an entity that is used to monetize accounts receivable. At January 1, 2010, $793 million in assets (net of tax, including the impact on “Investment in nonconsolidated affiliates”), $941 million in liabilities, $100 million in noncontrolling interests and a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $248 million were recorded as a result of the adoption of this guidance. See Note L for additional information about variable interest entities.

 

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On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASU 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,” which added disclosure requirements about transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about activity relating to Level 3 measurements and clarifies existing disclosure requirements related to the level of disaggregation and input and valuation techniques. See Note I for additional disclosures about fair value measurements.

Accounting Guidance Issued But Not Adopted as of September 30, 2010

In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements – a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” which amends the criteria for when to evaluate individual delivered items in a multiple deliverable arrangement and how to allocate consideration received. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, which is January 1, 2011 for the Company. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the guidance.

NOTE C – RESTRUCTURING

2009 Restructuring

On June 30, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan related to the Company’s acquisition of Rohm and Haas as well as actions to advance the Company’s strategy and to respond to continued weakness in the global economy. The restructuring plan included the elimination of approximately 2,500 positions primarily resulting from synergies to be achieved as a result of the acquisition of Rohm and Haas. In addition, the Company will shut down a number of manufacturing facilities. These actions are expected to be completed primarily by the end of 2011. As a result of the restructuring activities, the Company recorded pretax restructuring charges of $677 million in the second quarter of 2009, consisting of asset write-downs and write-offs of $454 million, costs associated with exit or disposal activities of $68 million and severance costs of $155 million. The impact of the charges was shown as “Restructuring charges” in the consolidated statements of income.

The severance component of the 2009 restructuring charges of $155 million was for the separation of approximately 2,500 employees under the terms of the Company’s ongoing benefit arrangements, primarily over two years. At December 31, 2009, severance of $72 million had been paid and a currency adjusted liability of $84 million remained for approximately 1,221 employees. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, severance of $69 million was paid, leaving a currency adjusted liability of $14 million for approximately 313 employees at September 30, 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company recorded an additional $8 million charge to adjust the impairment of long-lived assets and other assets related to the divestiture of certain acrylic monomer and specialty latex assets completed in the first quarter of 2010, and an additional $8 million charge related to the shutdown of a small manufacturing facility under the 2009 restructuring plan. The impact of these charges is shown as “Restructuring charges” in the consolidated statements of income and was reflected in the following operating segments: Electronic and Specialty Materials ($8 million), Coatings and Infrastructure ($5 million) and Performance Products ($3 million).

In the second quarter of 2010, the Company recorded additional restructuring charges of $13 million, which included the write-off of other assets of $5 million, additional costs associated with exit or disposal activities of $7 million and additional severance of $1 million related to the divestiture of certain acrylic monomer assets and the hollow sphere particle business that was included in the 2009 restructuring plan. The impact of these charges is shown as “Restructuring charges” in the consolidated statements of income and was reflected in Performance Products ($12 million) and Corporate ($1 million).

 

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The following table summarizes the 2010 activities related to the Company’s 2009 restructuring reserve:

 

  2010 Activities Related to 2009

  Restructuring

  In millions

  

Impairment of

Long-Lived Assets

and Other Assets

   

Costs associated with

Exit or Disposal

Activities

   

Severance

Costs

    Total    

  Reserve balance at December 31, 2009

     -        $  68        $  84        $152       

  Adjustment to reserve

     $  21        7        1        29       

  Cash payments

     -        -        (69     (69)      

  Charges against reserve

     (21     (7     -        (28)      

  Foreign currency impact

     -        -        (2     (2)      

  Reserve balance at September 30, 2010

     -        $  68        $  14        $82       

Restructuring Reserve Assumed from Rohm and Haas

Included in liabilities assumed in the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas was a reserve of $122 million for severance and employee benefits for the separation of 1,255 employees under the terms of Rohm and Haas’ ongoing benefit arrangement. The separations resulted from plant shutdowns, production schedule adjustments, productivity improvements and reductions in support services. Cash payments are expected to be paid primarily by the end of 2011. At December 31, 2009, a currency adjusted liability of $68 million remained for approximately 552 employees.

In the second quarter of 2010, the Company decreased the restructuring reserve $10 million due to the divestiture of the Powder Coatings business and to adjust the reserve to expected future severance payments. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company decreased the restructuring reserve $10 million to adjust the reserve to expected future severance payments. The impact of these adjustments is shown as “Cost of sales” in the consolidated statements of income and was reflected in Corporate. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, severance of $21 million was paid, leaving a currency adjusted liability of $30 million for approximately 139 employees at September 30, 2010.

 

  Restructuring Reserve Assumed from Rohm and Haas   
  In millions   

Severance 

Costs 

 

  Reserve balance at December 31, 2009

     $  68     

  Adjustment to reserve

     (20)    

  Cash payments

     (21)    

  Foreign currency impact

     3     

  Reserve balance at September 30, 2010

     $  30     

2008 Restructuring

On December 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan as part of a series of actions to advance the Company’s strategy and respond to the severe economic downturn. The restructuring plan included the shutdown of a number of facilities and a global workforce reduction, which are targeted to be completed by the end of 2010. As a result of the shutdowns and global workforce reduction, the Company recorded pretax restructuring charges of $785 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. The charges consisted of asset write-downs and write-offs of $336 million, costs associated with exit or disposal activities of $128 million and severance costs of $321 million.

The severance component of the 2008 restructuring charges of $321 million was for the separation of approximately 3,000 employees under the terms of Dow’s ongoing benefit arrangements, primarily over two years. At December 31, 2009, severance of $289 million had been paid and a currency adjusted liability of $53 million remained for approximately 293 employees. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, severance of $26 million was paid, leaving a currency adjusted liability of $26 million at September 30, 2010; $23 million was for employees who have left the Company and will continue to receive annuity payments primarily through 2013, and $3 million remained for approximately 65 employees.

 

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The following table summarizes 2010 activities related to the Company’s 2008 restructuring reserve:

 

  2010 Activities Related to 2008 Restructuring                         
  In millions    Costs associated with
Exit or Disposal
Activities
    Severance
Costs
    Total  

  Reserve balance at December 31, 2009

     $135         $53        $188   

  Cash payments

     -        (26     (26 )   

  Foreign currency impact

     (2     (1     (3

  Reserve balance at September 30, 2010

     $133        $ 26        $159   

NOTE D – ACQUISITION

Acquisition of Rohm and Haas

On April 1, 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of Rohm and Haas. Pursuant to the July 10, 2008 Agreement and Plan of Merger, Ramses Acquisition Corp., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, merged with and into Rohm and Haas, with Rohm and Haas continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Rohm and Haas on April 1, 2009. During the measurement period, which ended on March 31, 2010, net adjustments of $145 million were made to the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. These adjustments are summarized in the table presented below. The balance sheet at December 31, 2009 has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect these adjustments as required by the accounting guidance for business combinations. No further adjustments have been made to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed since the end of the measurement period.

 

Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed on April 1, 2009                                        
  In millions    Initial
Valuation
     2009
Adjustments
to Fair
Value
     Dec. 31,
2009
     2010
Adjustments
to Fair
Value
     March 31,
2010
 

  Purchase Price

     $15,681         -            $15,681         -           $15,681   

  Fair Value of Assets Acquired

              

Current assets

     $  2,710         -            $  2,710         $(18)         $  2,692   

Property

     3,930         $(138)         3,792         -            3,792   

Other intangible assets (1)

     4,475         830          5,305         -            5,305   

Other assets

     1,288         32          1,320         -            1,320   

Net assets of the Salt business (2)

     1,475         (167)         1,308         -            1,308   

  Total Assets Acquired

     $13,878         $557          $14,435         $(18)         $14,417   

  Fair Value of Liabilities and Noncontrolling Interests Assumed

              

Current liabilities

     $  1,218         $  (11)         $  1,207         $  (1)         $  1,206   

Long-term debt

     2,528         13          2,541         -            2,541   

Accrued and other liabilities and noncontrolling interests

     702         -            702         -            702   

Pension benefits

     1,119         -            1,119         -            1,119   

Deferred tax liabilities – noncurrent

     2,482         311          2,793         82          2,875   

  Total Liabilities and Noncontrolling Interests Assumed

     $  8,049         $   313          $  8,362         $   81          $  8,443   

  Goodwill (1)

     $  9,852         $(244)         $  9,608         $   99          $  9,707   

(1) See Note G for additional information.

(2) Morton International, Inc.

 

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The following table summarizes the major classes of assets and liabilities underlying the deferred tax liabilities resulting from the acquisition of Rohm and Haas:

 

  Deferred Tax Liabilities Assumed on April 1, 2009

  In millions

   As Adjusted    

  Intangible assets

     $1,754     

  Property

     526     

  Long-term debt

     191     

  Inventories

     80     

  Other accruals and reserves

     324     

  Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

     $2,875     

The acquisition resulted in the recognition of $9,707 million of goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes. See Note G for further information on goodwill, including the allocation by segment.

Rohm and Haas Acquisition and Integration Related Expenses

During the third quarter of 2010, integration expenses totaling $35 million ($98 million during the first nine months of 2010) were recorded related to the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas. During the third quarter of 2009, pretax charges totaling $21 million ($121 million during the first nine months of 2009) were recorded for legal expenses and other transaction costs related to the acquisition. These charges, which were expensed in accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations, were shown in “Acquisition and integration related expenses” and reflected in Corporate. An additional $34 million of acquisition-related retention expenses were incurred during the second quarter of 2009 and recorded in “Cost of sales,” “Research and development expenses,” and “Selling, general and administrative expenses” and reflected in Corporate.

NOTE E – DIVESTITURES

Divestiture of the Styron Business Unit

On March 2, 2010, the Company announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell the Styron business unit (“Styron”) to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners. The definitive agreement specified the assets and liabilities related to the businesses and products to be included in the sale. On June 17, 2010, the sale was completed for $1,561 million, net of working capital adjustments and costs to sell, with proceeds subject to customary post-closing adjustments, to be finalized in subsequent periods. The proceeds included a $75 million long-term note receivable. The Company elected to acquire a 7.5 percent equity interest in the resulting privately held, global materials company. Businesses and products sold included: Styrenics – polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile and expandable polystyrene; Emulsion Polymers; Polycarbonate and Compounds and Blends; Synthetic Rubber; and certain products from Dow Automotive Systems. Also included in the sale were certain styrene monomer assets and the Company’s 50 percent ownership interest in Americas Styrenics LLC, a principal nonconsolidated affiliate. The transaction also resulted in several long-term supply, service and purchase agreements between Dow and Styron.

Styron’s results of operations were not classified as discontinued operations, as the Company has continuing cash flows as a result of the supply, service and purchase agreements.

 

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The following table presents the major classes of assets and liabilities divested on June 17, 2010 by operating segment:

 

  Styron Assets and Liabilities

  Divested

 

  In millions

   Perf
Systems
     Perf
Products
     Basic
Plastics
     Hydro-
carbons
and
Energy
     Corp     Total    

Inventories

     $  76         $  96         $152         $144         -        $   468     

Other current assets

     53         238         201         27         $ 201        720     

Investment in nonconsolidated affiliate

     -         -         158         -         -        158     

Net property

     140         137         126         8         -        411     

Goodwill

     94         17         30         -         -        141     

Other noncurrent assets

     -         -         -         -         96        96     

  Total assets divested

     $363         $488         $667         $179         $ 297        $1,994     

Current liabilities

     -         -         -         -         $ 347        $   347     

Other noncurrent liabilities

     -         -         -         -         92        92     

  Total liabilities divested

     -         -         -         -         $ 439        $   439     

  Components of accumulated other comprehensive income divested

     -         -         -         -         $   45        $45     

  Net value divested

     $363         $488         $667         $179         $(187     $1,510     

The Company recognized a pretax gain of $51 million on the sale in the second quarter of 2010, included in “Sundry income (expense) – net” and reflected in the following operating segments: Performance Systems ($15 million), Performance Products ($26 million) and Basic Plastics ($10 million).

In the third quarter of 2010, a net $2 million pretax increase in the gain on the divestiture of Styron was recognized, related to a net gain on the sale of two small, related joint ventures, working capital adjustments and additional costs to sell. The adjustment was included in “Sundry income (expense) – net” and impacted the Basic Plastics segment.

Divestiture of the Calcium Chloride Business

On June 30, 2009, the Company completed the sale of the Calcium Chloride business for net proceeds of $204 million and recognized a pretax gain of $162 million. The results of the Calcium Chloride business for the first nine months of 2009, including the second quarter of 2009 gain on the sale, are reflected as “Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes” in the consolidated statements of income.

The following table presents the results of discontinued operations:

 

  Discontinued Operations

 

  In millions

  

Three Months 
Ended 

Sept. 30, 2009 

  

Nine Months  
Ended  

Sept. 30, 2009  

 

  Net sales

     -        $  70     

  Income (loss) before income taxes (benefit)

   $(7)      $175     

  Provision (credit) for income taxes

   $(3)      $  65     

  Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (benefit)

   $(4)      $110     

Divestitures Required as a Condition to the Acquisition of Rohm and Haas

As a condition of the United States Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC’s”) approval of the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas, the Company was required to divest a portion of its acrylic monomer business, a portion of its specialty latex business and its hollow sphere particle business. The Company recognized an impairment charge of $205 million related to these assets in the second quarter of 2009 restructuring charge (see Note C).

 

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On July 31, 2009, the Company entered into a definitive agreement that included the sale of the portion of its acrylic monomer business and the portion of its specialty latex business. The sale was completed on January 25, 2010. Additional impairment charges of $8 million related to these assets were recognized in the first quarter of 2010. In the second quarter of 2010, additional severance costs of $1 million and the write-off of other assets of $5 million were recognized (see Note C).

The Company completed the sale of its hollow sphere particle business in the second quarter of 2010 and recognized additional costs associated with disposal activities of $7 million, related to contract termination fees (see Note C).

Divestiture of Investments in Nonconsolidated Affiliates

On September 1, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its ownership interest in Total Raffinaderij Nederland N.V. (“TRN”), a nonconsolidated affiliate, and related inventory to Total S.A for $742 million. This resulted in a pretax net gain of $457 million, reflected in the Hydrocarbons and Energy segment, which consisted of a gain of $513 million reflected in “Sundry income (expense) – net” and a charge of $56 million related to the recognition of hedging losses reflected in “Cost of sales.”

On September 30, 2009 the Company completed the sale of its ownership interest in the OPTIMAL Group of Companies (“OPTIMAL”), nonconsolidated affiliates, for $660 million to Petroliam Nasional Berhad. This resulted in a pretax net gain of $328 million included in “Sundry income (expense) – net” and reflected in the following operating segments: Performance Systems ($1 million), Performance Products ($140 million) and Basic Chemicals ($187 million).

NOTE F – INVENTORIES

The following table provides a breakdown of inventories:

 

  Inventories    Sept. 30,      Dec. 31,    
  In millions    2010      2009    

  Finished goods

     $4,214         $3,887     

  Work in process

     1,666         1,593     

  Raw materials

     739         671     

  Supplies

     664         696     

  Total inventories

     $7,283         $6,847     

The reserves reducing inventories from the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis to the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis amounted to $816 million at September 30, 2010 and $818 million at December 31, 2009.

NOTE G – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table shows the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment:

 

  Goodwill    Electronic     Coatings                                  Hydro-          
  In millions    and
Specialty
Materials
    and
Infra-
structure
    Health
and Ag
Sciences
     Perf
Systems
    Perf
Products
    Basic
Plastics
    carbons
and
Energy
     Total    

  Net goodwill at Dec. 31, 2009

     $5,950        $4,079        $1,546         $962        $548        $65        $63         $13,213      

  Divestiture of Styron

                           (94     (17     (30             (141)     

  Divestiture of the Powder Coatings business

            (4                                          (4)     

  Foreign currency impact

     (27     (30             (7     (4                    (68)     

  Net goodwill at September 30, 2010

     $5,923        $4,045        $1,546         $861        $527        $35        $63         $13,000      

 

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The recording of the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas (see Note D) resulted in goodwill of $9,707 million, which is not deductible for tax purposes. During the first quarter of 2010, goodwill related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas increased $99 million for net adjustments made during the measurement period to the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In the table above, these retrospective adjustments are reflected in the net goodwill at December 31, 2009, in accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations. The retrospective adjustments increased goodwill for the operating segments as follows: Electronic and Specialty Materials ($39 million), Coatings and Infrastructure ($51 million), Health and Agricultural Sciences ($2 million), Performance Systems ($3 million) and Performance Products ($4 million).

On June 1, 2010, the Company divested its Powder Coatings business, including $4 million of associated goodwill. As a result of the June 17, 2010 divestiture of Styron, $141 million of associated goodwill and $16 million of intangible assets were divested (see Note E). Accumulated goodwill impairments were $250 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s other intangible assets:

 

  Other Intangible Assets    At September 30, 2010      At December 31, 2009  
  In millions    Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net      Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net    

  Intangible assets with finite lives:

               

Licenses and intellectual property

     $1,722         $   (423     $1,299         $1,729         $   (320     $1,409     

Patents

     121         (94     27         140         (107     33     

Software

     930         (486     444         875         (439     436     

Trademarks

     692         (152     540         694         (110     584     

Customer related

     3,628         (426     3,202         3,613         (261     3,352     

Other

     121         (73     48         142         (65     77     

  Total other intangible assets, finite lives

     $7,214         $(1,654     $5,560         $7,193         $(1,302     $5,891     

IPR&D (1), indefinite lives

     65         -        65         75         -        75     

  Total other intangible assets

     $7,279         $(1,654     $5,625         $7,268         $(1,302     $5,966     

(1) In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) purchased in a business combination.

The following table provides information regarding amortization expense:

 

  Amortization Expense    Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  

  In millions

    
 
Sept. 30,
2010
  
  
    
 
Sept. 30,
2009
  
  
    
 
Sept. 30,
2010
  
  
    
 
Sept. 30,    
2009    
  
  

  Other intangible assets, excluding software

     $124         $108         $377         $242       

  Software, included in “Cost of sales”

     $21         $22         $64         $55       

Total estimated amortization expense for 2010 and the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

 

  Estimated Amortization Expense

  In millions

 

  2010

     $592     

  2011

     $632     

  2012

     $566     

  2013

     $544     

  2014

     $521     

  2015

     $503     

 

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NOTE H – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Investments

The Company’s investments in marketable securities are primarily classified as available-for-sale.

 

  Investing Results

 

  In millions

  

Nine Months
Ended

Sept. 30, 2010

   

Nine Months
Ended

Sept. 30, 2009

 

  Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities

     $680        $263   

  Gross realized gains

     $31        $7   

  Gross realized losses

     $(62     $(21 )  

The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of the Company’s investments in debt securities:

 

  Contractual Maturities of Debt Securities

  at September 30, 2010

 
  In millions    Amortized Cost      Fair Value  

  Within one year

     $     40         $     41   

  One to five years

     568         624   

  Six to ten years

     592         658   

  After ten years

     257         291   

  Total

     $1,457         $1,614   

At September 30, 2010, the Company had $650 million of held-to-maturity securities (primarily Treasury Bills) classified as cash equivalents, as these securities had original maturities of three months or less. At December 31, 2009, the amount held was zero. The Company’s investments in held-to-maturity securities are held at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. At September 30, 2010, the Company had investments in money market funds of $57 million classified as cash equivalents ($164 million at December 31, 2009).

The net unrealized gain recognized during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 on trading securities held at September 30, 2010 was $22 million.

The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses of the Company’s investments that were deemed to be temporarily impaired at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:

 

  Temporarily Impaired Securities at September 30, 2010  
     Less than 12 months      12 months or more      Total  
  In millions    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
 

  Debt securities:

                 

U.S. Treasury obligations and direct obligations of U.S. government agencies

     $    9         $(1)         -                 $    9         $  (1)   

  Equity securities

     185         (8)         $3         $(1)         188         (9)   

  Total temporarily impaired securities

     $194         $(9)         $3         $(1)         $197         $(10)   

 

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  Temporarily Impaired Securities at December 31, 2009  
     Less than 12 months      12 months or more      Total  
  In millions    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
 

  Debt securities:

                 

U.S. Treasury obligations and direct obligations of U.S. government agencies

     $217         $(4)         -                 $217         $(4)   

Corporate bonds

     27         (1)         $13         $(1)         40         (2)   

  Total debt securities

     $244         $(5)         $13         $(1)         $257         $(6)   

  Equity securities

     40         (2)         7         (1)         47         (3)   

  Total temporarily impaired securities

     $284         $(7)         $20         $(2)         $304         $(9)   

Portfolio managers regularly review the Company’s holdings to determine if any investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. The analysis includes reviewing the amount of a temporary impairment, as well as the length of time it has been impaired. In addition, specific guidelines for each instrument type are followed to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.

For debt securities, the credit rating of the issuer, current credit rating trends, the trends of the issuer’s overall sector, the ability of the issuer to pay expected cash flows and the length of time the security has been in a loss position are considered in determining whether unrealized losses represent an other-than-temporary impairment. The Company did not have any credit-related losses during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.

For equity securities, the Company’s investments are primarily in Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 companies; however, the Company’s policies allow investments in companies outside of the S&P 500. The largest holdings are Exchange Traded Funds that represent the S&P 500 index or an S&P 500 sector or subset. The Company considers the evidence to support the recovery of the cost basis of a security including volatility of the stock, the length of time the security has been in a loss position, value and growth expectations, and overall market and sector fundamentals, as well as technical analysis, in determining whether unrealized losses represent an other-than-temporary impairment. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, other-than-temporary impairment write-downs on investments still held by the Company were $4 million.

The aggregate cost of the Company’s cost method investments totaled $161 million at September 30, 2010 and $129 million at December 31, 2009. Due to the nature of these investments, the fair market value is not readily determinable. These investments are reviewed for impairment indicators. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company’s impairment analysis identified indicators that resulted in a reduction in the cost basis of these investments of $21 million.

 

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The following table summarizes the fair value of financial instruments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

 

  Fair Value of Financial Instruments  
     At September 30, 2010      At December 31, 2009  
  In millions    Cost      Gain      Loss      Fair Value      Cost      Gain      Loss      Fair Value  

  Marketable securities (1):

                       

Debt securities:

                       

U.S. Treasury obligations and direct obligations of U.S. government agencies

     $   655          $  65         $  (1)         $   719          $   676          $  25         $(4)         $   697    

Corporate bonds

     802          93                 895          868          56         (2)         922    

Total debt securities

     $1,457          $158         $  (1)         $1,614          $1,544          $  81         $(6)         $1,619    

Equity securities

     508          62         (9)         561          455          65         (3)         517    

  Total marketable securities

     $1,965          $220         $(10)         $2,175          $1,999          $146         $(9)         $2,136    

  Long-term debt including debt due within one
year (2)

     $(19,802)         $72         $(2,555)         $(22,285)         $(20,234)         $126         $(1,794)         $(21,902)   

  Derivatives relating to:

                       

Foreign currency

     -           $77         $(49)         $28          -           $81         $(20)         $61    

Commodities

     -           $16         $(7)         $9          -           $5         $(18)         $(13)   

(1) Included in “Other investments” in the consolidated balance sheets.

(2) Cost includes fair value adjustments of $24 million at September 30, 2010 and $25 million at December 31, 2009.

Risk Management

Dow’s business operations give rise to market risk exposure due to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and other market factors such as equity prices. To manage such risks effectively, the Company enters into hedging transactions, pursuant to established guidelines and policies, which enable it to mitigate the adverse effects of financial market risk. Derivatives used for this purpose are designated as cash flow, fair value or net foreign investment hedges where appropriate. The guidance requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value. A secondary objective is to add value by creating additional nonspecific exposures within established limits and policies; derivatives used for this purpose are not designated as hedges. The potential impact of creating such additional exposures is not material to the Company’s results.

The Company’s risk management program for interest rate, foreign currency and commodity risks is based on fundamental, mathematical and technical models that take into account the implicit cost of hedging. Risks created by derivative instruments and the mark-to-market valuations of positions are strictly monitored at all times, using value at risk and stress tests. Credit risk arising from these contracts is not significant because the Company minimizes counterparty concentration, deals primarily with major financial institutions of solid credit quality, and the majority of its hedging transactions mature in less than three months. In addition, the Company minimizes concentrations of credit risk through its global orientation in diverse businesses with a large number of diverse customers and suppliers. It is the Company’s policy not to have credit-risk-related contingent features in its derivative instruments. The Company does not anticipate losses from credit risk, and the net cash requirements arising from counterparty risk associated with risk management activities are not expected to be material in 2010. No significant concentration of credit risk existed at September 30, 2010.

The Company reviews its overall financial strategies and the impacts from using derivatives in its risk management program with the Company’s Board of Directors and revises its strategies as market conditions dictate.

Interest Rate Risk Management

The Company enters into various interest rate contracts with the objective of lowering funding costs or altering interest rate exposures related to fixed and variable rate obligations. In these contracts, the Company agrees with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated on an agreed-upon notional principal amount. At September 30, 2010, the Company had open interest rate swaps with maturity dates no later than 2012.

 

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Foreign Currency Risk Management

The Company’s global operations require active participation in foreign exchange markets. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts and options, and cross-currency swaps to hedge various currency exposures or create desired exposures. Exposures primarily relate to assets, liabilities and bonds denominated in foreign currencies, as well as economic exposure, which is derived from the risk that currency fluctuations could affect the dollar value of future cash flows related to operating activities. The primary business objective of the activity is to optimize the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s assets, liabilities and future cash flows with respect to exchange rate fluctuations. Assets and liabilities denominated in the same foreign currency are netted, and only the net exposure is hedged. At September 30, 2010, the Company had forward contracts, options and cross-currency swaps to buy, sell or exchange foreign currencies. These contracts had various expiration dates, primarily in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Commodity Risk Management

The Company has exposure to the prices of commodities in its procurement of certain raw materials. The primary purpose of commodity hedging activities is to manage the price volatility associated with these forecasted inventory purchases. At September 30, 2010, the Company had futures contracts, options and swaps to buy, sell or exchange commodities. These agreements have various expiration dates through 2011.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Cash Flow Hedges

For derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedging instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” (“AOCI”); it is reclassified to “Cost of sales” in the same period or periods that the hedged transaction affects income. The unrealized amounts in AOCI fluctuate based on changes in the fair value of open contracts at the end of each reporting period. The Company anticipates volatility in AOCI and net income from its cash flow hedges. The amount of volatility varies with the level of derivative activities and market conditions during any period. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current period income.

The net loss from previously terminated interest rate cash flow hedges included in AOCI was $2 million after tax at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The Company had open interest rate derivatives with a notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $32 million at September 30, 2010 ($30 million at December 31, 2009).

Current open foreign currency forward contracts hedge the currency risk of forecasted feedstock purchase transactions until February 2011. The effective portion of the mark-to-market effects of the foreign currency forward contracts is recorded in AOCI; it is reclassified to income in the same period or periods that the underlying feedstock purchase affects income. The net loss from the foreign currency hedges included in AOCI at September 30, 2010 was $1 million after tax ($5 million at December 31, 2009). At September 30, 2010, the Company had open forward contracts with various expiration dates to buy, sell or exchange foreign currencies with a notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $957 million ($645 million at December 31, 2009).

Commodity swaps, futures and option contracts with maturities of not more than 36 months are utilized and designated as cash flow hedges of forecasted commodity purchases. Current open contracts hedge forecasted transactions until December 2011. The effective portion of the mark-to-market effect of the cash flow hedge instrument is recorded in AOCI; it is reclassified to income in the same period or periods that the underlying commodity purchase affects income. The net loss from commodity hedges included in AOCI was $1 million at September 30, 2010 and zero at December 31, 2009. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had the following aggregate notionals of outstanding commodity forward contracts to hedge forecasted purchases:

 

  Commodity    Sept. 30,
2010
     Dec. 31,
2009
     Notional Volume Unit

  Crude Oil

             0.7       million barrels

  Ethane

     1.6               million barrels

  Naphtha

             50       kilotons

  Natural Gas

     5.1         2.0       million million British thermal units

 

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Fair Value Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current period income and reflected as “Interest expense and amortization of debt discount” in the consolidated statements of income. The short-cut method is used when the criteria are met. The Company had no open interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges of underlying fixed rate debt obligations at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Net Foreign Investment Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as net foreign investment hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is included in “Cumulative Translation Adjustments” in AOCI. The results of hedges of the Company’s net investment in foreign operations included in “Cumulative Translation Adjustments” in AOCI was a net gain of $62 million after tax at September 30, 2010 (net loss of $56 million after tax at December 31, 2009). At September 30, 2010, the Company had open forward contracts or outstanding options to buy, sell or exchange foreign currencies that were designated as net foreign investment hedges with fourth quarter 2010 expiration dates and a notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $197 million (zero at December 31, 2009). At September 30, 2010, the Company had outstanding foreign-currency denominated debt designated as a hedge of net foreign investment of $1,263 million ($1,879 million at December 31, 2009).

Other Derivative Instruments

The Company utilizes futures, options and swap instruments that are effective as economic hedges of commodity price exposures, but do not meet the hedge accounting criteria in the accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had the following aggregate notionals of outstanding commodity contracts:

 

  Commodity    Sept. 30,
2010
     Dec. 31,
2009
     Notional Volume Unit

  Ethane

     3.9         0.9       million barrels

  Natural Gas

     14.0         2.8       million million British thermal units

The Company also uses foreign exchange forward contracts, options, and cross-currency swaps that are not designated as hedging instruments primarily to manage foreign currency and interest rate exposure. The Company had open foreign exchange contracts with various expiration dates to buy, sell or exchange foreign currencies and a notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $12,464 million at September 30, 2010 ($15,312 million at December 31, 2009).

 

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The following table provides the fair value and gross balance sheet classification of derivative instruments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

 

  Fair Value of Derivative Instruments    Sept. 30,      Dec. 31,  
  In millions    Balance Sheet Classification    2010      2009  

  Asset Derivatives

        

  Derivatives designated as hedges:

        

Foreign currency

   Accounts and notes receivable – Other      $  27         $    4     

Commodities

   Accounts and notes receivable – Other      10         4     

Total derivatives designated as hedges

          $  37         $    8     

  Derivatives not designated as hedges:

        

Foreign currency

   Accounts and notes receivable – Other      $135         $125     

Commodities

   Accounts and notes receivable – Other      25         28     

Total derivatives not designated as hedges

          $160         $153     

  Total asset derivatives

          $197         $161     

  Liability Derivatives

        

  Derivatives designated as hedges:

        

Foreign currency

   Accounts payable – Other      $  22         $    3     

Commodities

   Accounts payable – Other      15         -     

Total derivatives designated as hedges

          $  37         $    3     

  Derivatives not designated as hedges:

        

Foreign currency

   Accounts payable – Other      $112         $  65     

Commodities

   Accounts payable – Other      21         42     

Total derivatives not designated as hedges

          $133         $107     

  Total liability derivatives

          $170         $110     

 

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Table of Contents

 

  Effect of Derivative Instruments for

  the three months ended September 30, 2010

 

  In millions

  

Change in

Unrealized

Gain (Loss)

in AOCI (1,2)

    

Income Statement

Classification

    

Gain (Loss)

Reclassified

from AOCI

to Income (3)

    

Additional

Gain

Recognized in

Income (3,4)

 

  Derivatives designated as hedges:

           

Cash flow:

           

Commodities

     $4          Cost of sales         $(10)         -      

Foreign currency

     (16)         Cost of sales                 -      

Net foreign investment:

           

Foreign currency

             n/a                 -      

  Total derivatives designated as hedges

     $(8)                  $  (8)         -      

  Derivatives not designated as hedges:

           

Foreign currency (6)

     -           Sundry income – net                 $44      

Commodities

     -           Cost of sales                 5      

  Total derivatives not designated as hedges

     -                            $49      

  Total derivatives

     $(8)                  $(8)         $49      
                             

  Effect of Derivative Instruments for the

  three months ended September 30, 2009

 

  In millions

  

Change in

Unrealized

Gain in

AOCI (1,2)

    

Income Statement

Classification

    

Gain (Loss)

Reclassified

from AOCI to

Income (3)

    

Additional

Loss

Recognized in

Income (3,4)

 

  Derivatives designated as hedges:

           

Fair value:

           

Interest rates

     -         Interest expense (5)                 $(1)   

Cash flow:

           

Interest rates

     -         Cost of sales         $  (3)           

Commodities

     -         Cost of sales         (73)           

Foreign currency

     -         Cost of sales                   

Net foreign investment:

           

Foreign currency

     $5         n/a                   

  Total derivatives designated as hedges

     $5                  $(69)         $(1)   

  Derivatives not designated as hedges:

           

Foreign currency (6)

     -         Sundry income – net                 $(7)   

  Total derivatives

     $5                  $(69)         $(8)   
(1) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”).
(2) Net unrealized gains/losses from hedges related to interest rates and commodities are included in “Accumulated Derivative Loss – Net hedging results” in the consolidated statements of equity; net unrealized gains/losses from hedges related to foreign currency (net of tax) are included in “Cumulative Translation Adjustments – Translation adjustments” in the consolidated statements of equity.
(3) Pretax amounts.
(4) Amounts impacting income not related to AOCI reclassification; also includes immaterial amounts of hedge ineffectiveness.
(5) Interest expense and amortization of debt discount.
(6) Foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedges are offset by foreign exchange gains/losses resulting from the underlying exposures of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

 

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Effect of Derivative Instruments for the
nine months ended September 30, 2010

 

  In millions

   Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
in AOCI 
(1,2)
     Income Statement
Classification
     Loss
Reclassified
from AOCI to
Income 
(3)
    

Additional

Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Income
(3,4)

 

  Derivatives designated as hedges:

           

Fair value:

           

Interest rates

     $  (1)           Interest expense (5)                 $  (1)     

Cash flow:

           

Commodities

     (14)           Cost of sales         $(14)         -       

Foreign currency

     4            Cost of sales         (1)         -       

Net foreign investment:

           

Foreign currency

     (16)           n/a                 -       

  Total derivatives designated as hedges

     $(27)                    $(15)         $  (1)     

  Derivatives not designated as hedges:

           

Foreign currency (6)

     -             Sundry income – net                 $ 157     

Commodities

     -             Cost of sales                 1     

  Total derivatives not designated as hedges

     -                              $ 158     

  Total derivatives

     $(27)                    $(15)         $ 157     
           
Effect of Derivative Instruments for the
nine months ended September 30, 2009

 

  In millions

   Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
in AOCI 
(1,2)
     Income Statement
Classification
     Gain (Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI to
Income
(3)
     Additional Loss
Recognized in
Income
(3,4)
 

  Derivatives designated as hedges:

           

Fair value:

           

Interest rates

     -            Interest expense (5)         -            $  (1)     

Cash flow:

           

Interest rates

     -            Cost of sales         $    (9)         -       

Commodities

     $(6)         Cost of sales         (306)         (1)     

Foreign currency

     (10)         Cost of sales           24          -       

Net foreign investment:

           

Foreign currency

             n/a         -           -       

  Total derivatives designated as hedges

     $(15)                  $  (291)         $  (2)     

  Derivatives not designated as hedges:

           

Foreign currency (6)

     -            Sundry income – net         -           $(38)     

Commodities

     -            Cost of sales         -           (1)     

  Total derivatives not designated as hedges

     -               -           $(39)     

  Total derivatives

     $(15)                  $  (291)         $(41)     
(1) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”).
(2) Net unrealized gains/losses from hedges related to interest rates and commodities are included in “Accumulated Derivative Loss – Net hedging results” in the consolidated statements of equity; net unrealized gains/losses from hedges related to foreign currency (net of tax) are included in “Cumulative Translation Adjustments – Translation adjustments” in the consolidated statements of equity.
(3) Pretax amounts.
(4) Amounts impacting income not related to AOCI reclassification; also includes immaterial amounts of hedge ineffectiveness.
(5) Interest expense and amortization of debt discount.
(6) Foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedges are offset by foreign exchange gains/losses resulting from the underlying exposures of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

The net after-tax amounts to be reclassified from AOCI to income within the next 12 months are a $2 million loss for interest rate contracts and a $1 million loss for foreign currency contracts.

 

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NOTE I – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets:

 

  Basis of Fair Value Measurements

  on a Recurring Basis

  at September 30, 2010

 

  In millions

  

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Items

(Level 1)

    

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

     Counterparty
and Cash
Collateral
Netting
(1)
     Total    

  Assets at fair value:

              

Accounts and notes receivable – Other (2)

     -         -         $1,312         -           $1,312     

Equity securities (3)

     $525         $      36         -         -           561     

Debt securities: (3)

              

U.S. Treasury obligations and direct obligations of U.S. government agencies

     -         719         -         -           719     

Corporate bonds

     -         895         -         -           895     

Derivatives relating to: (4)

              

Foreign currency

     -         162         -         $  (85)         77     

Commodities

     9         26         -         (19)         16     

  Total assets at fair value

     $534         $ 1,838         $1,312         $(104)         $3,580     

  Liabilities at fair value:

                                            

Derivatives relating to: (4)

              

Foreign currency

     -         $    134         -         $  (85)         $     49     

Commodities

     $    9         27         -         (29)         7     

  Total liabilities at fair value

     $    9         $    161         -         $(114)         $     56     
                                        

  Basis of Fair Value Measurements

  on a Recurring Basis

  at December 31, 2009

 

  In millions

  

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Items

(Level 1)

    

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)

     Counterparty
and Cash
Collateral
Netting
(1)
     Total         

  Assets at fair value:

              

Equity securities (3)

     $483         $      34         -           $   517        

Debt securities (3)

              

U.S. Treasury obligations and direct obligations of U.S. government agencies

     -         697         -           697        

Corporate bonds

     -         922         -           922        

Derivatives relating to: (4)

              

Foreign currency

     -         129         $(48)         81        

Commodities

     28         4         (27)         5        

  Total assets at fair value

     $511         $ 1,786         $(75)         $2,222        

  Liabilities at fair value:

              

Derivatives relating to: (4)

              

Foreign currency

     -         $      68         $(48)         $     20        

Commodities

     $  24         18         (24)         18        

  Total liabilities at fair value

     $  24         $      86         $(72)         $     38        
(1) Cash collateral is classified as “Accounts and notes receivable – Other” in the consolidated balance sheets. Amounts represent the estimated net settlement amount when applying netting and set-off rights included in master netting arrangements between the Company and its counterparties and the payable or receivable for cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparty.
(2) See Note K for additional information on transfers of financial assets.
(3) The Company’s investments in equity and debt securities are primarily classified as available-for-sale and are included in “Other investments” in the consolidated balance sheets.
(4) See Note H for the classification of derivatives in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Assets and liabilities related to forward contracts, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, options and other conditional or exchange contracts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement are netted. Collateral accounts are netted with corresponding assets and liabilities. The Company posted cash collateral of $10 million at September 30, 2010, classified as “Accounts and notes receivable – Other” in the consolidated balance sheets.

For assets and liabilities classified as Level 1 measurements (measured using quoted prices in active markets), the total fair value is either the price of the most recent trade at the time of the market close or the official close price, as defined by the exchange in which the asset is most actively traded on the last trading day of the period, multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs.

For assets and liabilities classified as Level 2 measurements, the fair value is based on the price a dealer would pay for the security or similar securities, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability. Market inputs are obtained from well established and recognized vendors of market data and subjected to tolerance/quality checks. For derivative assets and liabilities, the fair value is calculated using standard industry models used to calculate the fair value of the various financial instruments based on significant observable market inputs, such as foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, swap rates, interest rates and implied volatilities obtained from various market sources.

For all other assets and liabilities for which observable inputs are used, fair value is derived through the use of fair value models, such as a discounted cash flow model or other standard pricing models. See Note H for further information on the types of instruments used by the Company for risk management.

There were no significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

For assets classified as Level 3 measurements, the fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs including assumptions where there is little, if any, market activity. The fair value of the Company’s interests held in trade receivable conduits is determined by calculating the expected amount of cash to be received using the key input of anticipated credit losses in the portfolio of receivables sold that have not yet been collected (1.44 percent for North America and zero for Europe at September 30, 2010). Given the short-term nature of the underlying receivables, discount rate and prepayments are not factors in determining the fair value of the interests. See Note K for further information on assets classified as Level 3 measurements.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 

  Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3 Inputs

  Interests Held in Trade Receivable Conduits (1)

  In millions

   Three Months Ended
Sept. 30, 2010
     Nine Months Ended  
Sept. 30, 2010  
 

  Balance at beginning of period

     $1,206          -     

  Gain (Loss) included in earnings

     (2)         $       7     

  Purchases, sales and settlements – North America

     100          1,153     

  Purchases, sales and settlements - Europe

             152     

  Balance at September 30, 2010

     $1,312          $1,312     
(1) Included in “Accounts and notes receivable – Other” in the consolidated balance sheets.

The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets:

 

  Basis of Fair Value Measurements

  on a Nonrecurring Basis at September 30,

  2009

 

  In millions

  

Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total
Losses
 

  Assets at fair value:

     

Long-lived assets

   $ 26       $ (399

 

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As part of the restructuring plan that was approved on June 30, 2009, the Company will shut down a number of manufacturing facilities by the end of 2011. In the second quarter of 2009, long-lived assets with a carrying value of $425 million were written down to the fair value of $26 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $399 million, which was included in the second quarter of 2009 restructuring charge (see Note C). The long-lived assets were valued based on bids received from third parties and using discounted cash flow analysis based on assumptions that market participants would use. Key inputs included anticipated revenues, associated manufacturing costs, capital expenditures and discount, growth and tax rates.

NOTE J – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Litigation

Breast Implant Matters

On May 15, 1995, Dow Corning Corporation (“Dow Corning”), in which the Company is a 50 percent shareholder, voluntarily filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to resolve litigation related to Dow Corning’s breast implant and other silicone medical products. On June 1, 2004, Dow Corning’s Joint Plan of Reorganization (the “Joint Plan”) became effective and Dow Corning emerged from bankruptcy. The Joint Plan contains release and injunction provisions resolving all tort claims brought against various entities, including the Company, involving Dow Corning’s breast implant and other silicone medical products.

To the extent not previously resolved in state court actions, cases involving Dow Corning’s breast implant and other silicone medical products filed against the Company were transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (the “District Court”) for resolution in the context of the Joint Plan. On October 6, 2005, all such cases then pending in the District Court against the Company were dismissed. Should cases involving Dow Corning’s breast implant and other silicone medical products be filed against the Company in the future, they will be accorded similar treatment. It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that a resolution of all future cases will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

As part of the Joint Plan, Dow and Corning Incorporated agreed to provide a credit facility to Dow Corning in an aggregate amount of $300 million, which was reduced to $200 million effective June 1, 2010. The Company’s share of the credit facility was originally $150 million, but was reduced to $100 million effective June 1, 2010, and is subject to the terms and conditions stated in the Joint Plan. At September 30, 2010, no draws had been taken against the credit facility.

DBCP Matters

Numerous lawsuits have been brought against the Company and other chemical companies, both inside and outside of the United States, alleging that the manufacture, distribution or use of pesticides containing dibromochloropropane (“DBCP”) has caused personal injury and property damage, including contamination of groundwater. It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that the resolution of such lawsuits will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Environmental Matters

Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, based on current law and existing technologies. At September 30, 2010, the Company had accrued obligations of $594 million for environmental remediation and restoration costs, including $63 million for the remediation of Superfund sites. This is management’s best estimate of the costs for remediation and restoration with respect to environmental matters for which the Company has accrued liabilities, although the ultimate cost with respect to these particular matters could range up to approximately twice that amount. Consequently, it is reasonably possible that environmental remediation and restoration costs in excess of amounts accrued could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. It is the opinion of the Company’s management, however, that the possibility is remote that costs in excess of the range disclosed will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Inherent uncertainties exist in these estimates primarily due to unknown conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and emerging remediation technologies for handling site remediation and restoration. At December 31, 2009, the Company had accrued obligations of $619 million for environmental remediation and restoration costs, including $80 million for the remediation of Superfund sites.

 

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Midland Off-Site Environmental Matters

On June 12, 2003, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (“MDNRE,” formerly the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality or MDEQ) issued a Hazardous Waste Operating License (the “License”) to the Company’s Midland, Michigan manufacturing site (the “Midland site”), which included provisions requiring the Company to conduct an investigation to determine the nature and extent of off-site contamination in the City of Midland soils; the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River sediment and floodplain soils; and the Saginaw Bay; and, if necessary, undertake remedial action.

City of Midland

Matters related to the City of Midland remain under the primary oversight of the State of Michigan (the “State”) under the License, and the Company and the State are in ongoing discussions regarding the implementation of the requirements of the License.

Tittabawassee and Saginaw Rivers, Saginaw Bay

The Company, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the State entered into an administrative order on consent (“AOC”), effective January 21, 2010, that requires the Company to conduct a remedial investigation, a feasibility study and a remedial design for the Tittabawassee River, the Saginaw River and the Saginaw Bay, and pay the oversight costs of the EPA and the State under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). These actions, to be conducted under the lead oversight of the EPA, will build upon the investigative work completed under the State Resource Conservation Recovery Act (“RCRA”) program from 2005 through 2009. The Tittabawassee River, beginning at the Midland Site and extending down to the first six miles of the Saginaw River, are designated as the first Operable Unit for purposes of conducting the remedial investigation, feasibility study and remedial design work. This work will be performed in a largely upriver to downriver sequence for eight geographic segments of the Tittabawassee and upper Saginaw Rivers. The remainder of the Saginaw River and the Saginaw Bay are designated as a second Operable Unit and the work associated with that unit may also be geographically segmented. The AOC does not obligate the Company to perform removal or remedial action; that action can only be required by a separate order.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Process

The Company; the EPA; the U.S. Department of Justice; and the natural resource damage trustees (the Michigan Office of the Attorney General; the MDNRE; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Saginaw-Chippewa tribe), have been engaged in negotiations to seek to resolve potential governmental claims against the Company related to historical off-site contamination associated with the City of Midland, the Tittabawassee and Saginaw Rivers and the Saginaw Bay. The Company and the governmental parties started meeting in the fall of 2005 and entered into a Confidentiality Agreement in December 2005. The Company continues to conduct negotiations under the Federal Alternative Dispute Resolution Act with all of the governmental parties, except the EPA which withdrew from the alternative dispute resolution process on September 12, 2007.

On September 28, 2007, the Company and the natural resource damage trustees entered into a Funding and Participation Agreement that addressed the Company’s payment of past costs incurred by the natural resource damage trustees, payment of the costs of a trustee coordinator and a process to review additional cooperative studies that the Company might agree to fund or conduct with the natural resource damage trustees. On March 18, 2008, the Company and the natural resource damage trustees entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a mechanism for the Company to fund cooperative studies related to the assessment of natural resource damages. On April 7, 2008, the natural resource damage trustees released their “Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan for the Tittabawassee River System Assessment Area.”

At September 30, 2010, the accrual for these off-site matters was $27 million (included in the total accrued obligation of $594 million at September 30, 2010). At December 31, 2009, the Company had an accrual for these off-site matters of $25 million (included in the total accrued obligation of $619 million).

 

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Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation

Union Carbide Corporation (“Union Carbide”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is and has been involved in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts during the past three decades. These suits principally allege personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos-containing products and frequently seek both actual and punitive damages. The alleged claims primarily relate to products that Union Carbide sold in the past, alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products located on Union Carbide’s premises, and Union Carbide’s responsibility for asbestos suits filed against a former Union Carbide subsidiary, Amchem Products, Inc. (“Amchem”). In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable loss as a result of such exposure, or that injuries incurred in fact resulted from exposure to Union Carbide’s products.

Influenced by the bankruptcy filings of numerous defendants in asbestos-related litigation and the prospects of various forms of state and national legislative reform, the rate at which plaintiffs filed asbestos-related suits against various companies, including Union Carbide and Amchem, increased in 2001, 2002 and the first half of 2003. Since then, the rate of filing has significantly abated. Union Carbide expects more asbestos-related suits to be filed against Union Carbide and Amchem in the future, and will aggressively defend or reasonably resolve, as appropriate, both pending and future claims.

Based on a study completed by Analysis, Research & Planning Corporation (“ARPC”) in January 2003, Union Carbide increased its December 31, 2002 asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims for the 15-year period ending in 2017 to $2.2 billion, excluding future defense and processing costs. Since then, Union Carbide has compared current asbestos claim and resolution activity to the results of the most recent ARPC study at each balance sheet date to determine whether the accrual continues to be appropriate. In addition, Union Carbide has requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s historical asbestos claim and resolution activity each November since 2004 to determine the appropriateness of updating the most recent ARPC study.

In November 2008, Union Carbide requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s historical asbestos claim and resolution activity and determine the appropriateness of updating its then most recent study completed in December 2006. In response to that request, ARPC reviewed and analyzed data through October 31, 2008. The resulting study, completed by ARPC in December 2008, stated that the undiscounted cost of resolving pending and future asbestos-related claims against Union Carbide and Amchem, excluding future defense and processing costs, through 2023 was estimated to be between $952 million and $1.2 billion. As in its earlier studies, ARPC provided estimates for a longer period of time in its December 2008 study, but also reaffirmed its prior advice that forecasts for shorter periods of time are more accurate than those for longer periods of time.

In December 2008, based on ARPC’s December 2008 study and Union Carbide’s own review of the asbestos claim and resolution activity, Union Carbide decreased its asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims to $952 million, which covered the 15-year period ending 2023, excluding future defense and processing costs. The reduction was $54 million and was shown as “Asbestos-related credit” in the consolidated statements of income. At December 31, 2008, the asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $934 million.

In November 2009, Union Carbide requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s 2009 asbestos claim and resolution activity and determine the appropriateness of updating its December 2008 study. In response to that request, ARPC reviewed and analyzed data through October 31, 2009. In December 2009, ARPC stated that an update of its study would not provide a more likely estimate of future events than the estimate reflected in its study of the previous year and, therefore, the estimate in that study remained applicable. Based on Union Carbide’s own review of the asbestos claim and resolution activity and ARPC’s response, Union Carbide determined that no change to the accrual was required. At December 31, 2009, Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $839 million. At December 31, 2009, approximately 23 percent of the recorded liability related to pending claims and approximately 77 percent related to future claims.

Based on Union Carbide’s review of 2010 activity, Union Carbide determined that no adjustment to the accrual was required at September 30, 2010. Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $800 million at September 30, 2010. Approximately 21 percent of the recorded liability related to pending claims and approximately 79 percent related to future claims.

 

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At December 31, 2002, Union Carbide increased the receivable for insurance recoveries related to its asbestos liability to $1.35 billion, substantially exhausting its asbestos product liability coverage. The insurance receivable related to the asbestos liability was determined by Union Carbide after a thorough review of applicable insurance policies and the 1985 Wellington Agreement, to which Union Carbide and many of its liability insurers are signatory parties, as well as other insurance settlements, with due consideration given to applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, and taking into account the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers. The Wellington Agreement and other agreements with insurers are designed to facilitate an orderly resolution and collection of Union Carbide’s insurance policies and to resolve issues that the insurance carriers may raise.

In September 2003, Union Carbide filed a comprehensive insurance coverage case, now proceeding in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, seeking to confirm its rights to insurance for various asbestos claims and to facilitate an orderly and timely collection of insurance proceeds (the “Insurance Litigation”). The Insurance Litigation was filed against insurers that are not signatories to the Wellington Agreement and/or do not otherwise have agreements in place with Union Carbide regarding their asbestos-related insurance coverage, in order to facilitate an orderly resolution and collection of such insurance policies and to resolve issues that the insurance carriers may raise. Since the filing of the case, Union Carbide has reached settlements with several of the carriers involved in the Insurance Litigation, including settlements reached with two significant carriers in the fourth quarter of 2009. The Insurance Litigation is ongoing.

Union Carbide’s receivable for insurance recoveries related to its asbestos liability was $84 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, all of the receivable for insurance recoveries was related to insurers that are not signatories to the Wellington Agreement and/or do not otherwise have agreements in place regarding their asbestos-related insurance coverage.

In addition to the receivable for insurance recoveries related to its asbestos liability, Union Carbide had receivables for defense and resolution costs submitted to insurance carriers that have settlement agreements in place regarding their asbestos-related insurance coverage.

The following table summarizes Union Carbide’s receivables related to its asbestos-related liability:

 

  Receivables for Asbestos-Related Costs

  In millions

   Sept. 30,
2010
     Dec. 31,  
2009  
 

  Receivables for defense costs – carriers with settlement agreements

     $  7         $  91     

  Receivables for resolution costs – carriers with settlement agreements

     235         357     

  Receivables for insurance recoveries – carriers without settlement agreements

     84         84     

  Total

     $326         $532     

Union Carbide expenses defense costs as incurred. The pretax impact for defense and resolution costs, net of insurance, was $22 million in the third quarter of 2010 ($20 million in the third quarter of 2009) and $58 million in the first nine months of 2010 ($40 million in the first nine months of 2009), and was reflected in “Cost of sales.”

After a review of its insurance policies, with due consideration given to applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, after taking into account the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers; existing insurance settlements; and the advice of outside counsel with respect to the applicable insurance coverage law relating to the terms and conditions of its insurance policies, Union Carbide continues to believe that its recorded receivable for insurance recoveries from all insurance carriers is probable of collection.

The amounts recorded by Union Carbide for the asbestos-related liability and related insurance receivable described above were based upon current, known facts. However, future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed and/or received each year, the average cost of disposing of each such claim, coverage issues among insurers, and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation in the United States, could cause the actual costs and insurance recoveries for Union Carbide to be higher or lower than those projected or those recorded.

 

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Because of the uncertainties described above, Union Carbide’s management cannot estimate the full range of the cost of resolving pending and future asbestos-related claims facing Union Carbide and Amchem. Union Carbide’s management believes that it is reasonably possible that the cost of disposing of Union Carbide’s asbestos-related claims, including future defense costs, could have a material adverse impact on Union Carbide’s results of operations and cash flows for a particular period and on the consolidated financial position of Union Carbide.

It is the opinion of Dow’s management that it is reasonably possible that the cost of Union Carbide disposing of its asbestos-related claims, including future defense costs, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for a particular period and on the consolidated financial position of the Company.

Synthetic Rubber Industry Matters

In 2003, the U.S., Canadian and European competition authorities initiated separate investigations into alleged anticompetitive behavior by certain participants in the synthetic rubber industry. Certain subsidiaries of the Company (but as to the investigation in Europe only) have responded to requests for documents and are otherwise cooperating in the investigations.

On June 10, 2005, the Company received a Statement of Objections from the European Commission (the “EC”) stating that it believed that the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company (the “Dow Entities”), together with other participants in the synthetic rubber industry, engaged in conduct in violation of European competition laws with respect to the butadiene rubber and emulsion styrene butadiene rubber businesses. In connection therewith, on November 29, 2006, the EC issued its decision alleging infringement of Article 81 of the Treaty of Rome and imposed a fine of Euro 64.575 million (approximately $85 million at that time) on the Dow Entities; several other companies were also named and fined. As a result, the Company recognized a loss contingency of $85 million related to the fine in the fourth quarter of 2006. The Company has appealed the EC’s decision. On October 13, 2009, the Court of First Instance held a hearing on the appeal of all parties. Subsequent to the imposition of the fine, the Company and/or certain subsidiaries of the Company became named parties in various related U.S., United Kingdom and Italian civil actions. The U.S. matter was settled in March 2010 through a confidential settlement agreement which had an immaterial impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Additionally, on March 10, 2007, the Company received a Statement of Objections from the EC stating that it believed that DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C. (“DDE”), a former 50:50 joint venture with E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”), together with other participants in the synthetic rubber industry, engaged in conduct in violation of European competition laws with respect to the polychloroprene business. This Statement of Objections specifically names the Company, in its capacity as a former joint venture owner of DDE. On December 5, 2007, the EC announced its decision to impose a fine on the Company, among others, in the amount of Euro 48.675 million (approximately $66 million). The Company previously transferred its joint venture ownership interest in DDE to DuPont in 2005, and DDE then changed its name to DuPont Performance Elastomers L.L.C. (“DPE”). In February 2008, DuPont, DPE and the Company each filed an appeal of the December 5, 2007 decision of the EC. Based on the Company’s allocation agreement with DuPont, the Company’s share of this fine, regardless of the outcome of the appeals, will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Rohm and Haas Pension Plan Matters

In December 2005, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana (the “District Court”) issued a decision granting a class of participants in the Rohm and Haas Pension Plan (the “Rohm and Haas Plan”) who had retired from Rohm and Haas, now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and who elected to receive a lump sum benefit from the Rohm and Haas Plan, the right to a cost-of-living adjustment (“COLA”) as part of their retirement benefit. In August 2007, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s decision, and in March 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the Rohm and Haas Plan’s petition to review the Seventh Circuit’s decision. The case was returned to the District Court for further proceedings. In October 2008 and February 2009, the District Court issued rulings that have the effect of including in the class all Rohm and Haas retirees who received a lump sum distribution without a COLA from the Rohm and Haas Plan since January 1976. These rulings are subject to appeal, and the District Court has not yet determined the amount of the COLA benefits that may be due to the class participants. The Rohm and Haas Plan and the plaintiffs entered into a settlement agreement which was preliminarily approved by the District Court on November 24, 2009. In addition to settling the litigation with respect to the Rohm and Haas retirees, the settlement agreement provides for the amendment of the complaint and amendment to the Rohm and Haas Plan to include active

 

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employees. Notices of the proposed settlement were provided to class members, and a hearing was held on March 12, 2010, to determine whether the settlement will be finally approved by the District Court. On April 12, 2010, the District Court issued a final order approving the settlement. An appeal of the final order by objectors to the settlement has been filed.

A pension liability associated with this matter of $185 million was recognized as part of the acquisition of Rohm and Haas on April 1, 2009. The liability, which was determined in accordance with the accounting guidance for contingencies, recognized the estimated impact of the above described judicial decisions on the long-term Rohm and Haas Plan obligations owed to the applicable Rohm and Haas retirees and active employees. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had a liability of $183 million associated with this matter.

Other Litigation Matters

In addition to breast implant, DBCP, environmental and synthetic rubber industry matters, the Company is party to a number of other claims and lawsuits arising out of the normal course of business with respect to commercial matters, including product liability, governmental regulation and other actions. Certain of these actions purport to be class actions and seek damages in very large amounts. All such claims are being contested. Dow has an active risk management program consisting of numerous insurance policies secured from many carriers at various times. These policies provide coverage that will be utilized to minimize the impact, if any, of the contingencies described above.

Summary

Except for the possible effect of Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability described above, it is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that the aggregate of all claims and lawsuits will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Company.

Purchase Commitments

The Company has numerous agreements for the purchase of ethylene-related products globally. The purchase prices are determined primarily on a cost-plus basis. Total purchases under these agreements were $784 million in 2009, $1,502 million in 2008 and $1,624 million in 2007. The Company’s take-or-pay commitments associated with these agreements at December 31, 2009 are included in the table below.

The Company also has various commitments for take-or-pay and throughput agreements. Such commitments are at prices not in excess of current market prices. The terms of all but two of these agreements extend from one to 25 years. One agreement has terms extending to 35 years and another has terms extending to 80 years. The determinable future commitments for these agreements are included for 10 years in the following table which presents the fixed and determinable portion of obligations under the Company’s purchase commitments at December 31, 2009:

 

  Fixed and Determinable Portion of Take-or-Pay and

  Throughput Obligations at December 31, 2009

  In millions

 

  2010

   $ 2,845       

  2011

     2,655       

  2012

     1,716       

  2013

     1,088       

  2014

     944       

  2015 and beyond

     5,969       

  Total

   $ 15,217       

In addition, in the second quarter of 2010, the Company entered into two new five-year contracts for the purchase of ethylene-related products beginning in 2010. At September 30, 2010, the fixed and determinable portion of the take-or-pay commitment associated with these new contracts was $142 million in 2010, $203 million in 2011, $211 million in 2012, $224 million in 2013 and $237 million in 2014.

In addition to the take-or-pay obligations at December 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding commitments which ranged from one to seven years for steam, electrical power, materials, property and other items used in the normal course of business of approximately $48 million. Such commitments were at prices not in excess of current market prices.

 

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Guarantees

The Company provides a variety of guarantees as described more fully in the following sections.

Guarantees

Guarantees arise during the ordinary course of business from relationships with customers and nonconsolidated affiliates when the Company undertakes an obligation to guarantee the performance of others (via delivery of cash or other assets) if specified triggering events occur. With guarantees, such as commercial or financial contracts, non-performance by the guaranteed party triggers the obligation of the Company to make payments to the beneficiary of the guarantee. The majority of the Company’s guarantees relate to debt of nonconsolidated affiliates, which have expiration dates ranging from less than one year to ten years, and trade financing transactions in Latin America, which typically expire within one year of their inception. The Company’s current expectation is that future payment or performance related to the non-performance of others is considered unlikely.

Residual Value Guarantees

The Company provides guarantees related to leased assets specifying the residual value that will be available to the lessor at lease termination through sale of the assets to the lessee or third parties.

The following tables provide a summary of the final expiration, maximum future payments and recorded liability reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for each type of guarantee:

 

  Guarantees at September 30, 2010

  In millions

   Final
Expiration
     Maximum Future
Payments
   Recorded  
Liability  
 

  Guarantees

     2020         $266      $ 51      

  Residual value guarantees (1)

     2017         352        5      

  Total guarantees

            $618      $ 56      
(1) Does not include residual value guarantees of the Company’s variable interest in an owner trust which was consolidated in the first quarter of 2010, with the adoption of ASU 2009-17 (see Notes B and L).

 

  Guarantees at December 31, 2009

  In millions

   Final
Expiration
     Maximum Future
Payments
   Recorded  
Liability  
 

  Guarantees

     2020         $   358      $ 52      

  Residual value guarantees

     2014         695        5      

  Total guarantees

            $1,053      $ 57      

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company has recognized asset retirement obligations for the following activities: demolition and remediation activities at manufacturing sites in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Europe; capping activities at landfill sites in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Europe; and asbestos encapsulation as a result of planned demolition and remediation activities at manufacturing and administrative sites in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Europe.

The aggregate carrying amount of asset retirement obligations recognized by the Company was $98 million at September 30, 2010 and $101 million at December 31, 2009. The discount rate used to calculate the Company’s asset retirement obligation was 2.45 percent. These obligations are included in the consolidated balance sheets as “Other noncurrent obligations.”

The Company has not recognized conditional asset retirement obligations for which a fair value cannot be reasonably estimated in its consolidated financial statements. It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that such conditional asset retirement obligations, when estimable, will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on current costs.

 

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NOTE K – TRANSFERS OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASU 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.” This ASU is intended to improve the information provided in financial statements concerning transfers of financial assets, including the effects of transfers on financial position, financial performance and cash flows, and any continuing involvement of the transferor with the transferred financial assets. The Company evaluated the impact of adopting the guidance and the terms and conditions in place at January 1, 2010 and determined that certain sales of accounts receivable would be classified as secured borrowings. Under the Company’s sale of accounts receivable arrangements, $915 million was outstanding at January 1, 2010. The maximum amount of receivables available for participation in these programs was $1,939 million at January 1, 2010.

In January 2010, the Company terminated the North American arrangement and replaced it with a new arrangement that qualified for treatment as a sale under ASU 2009-16. The arrangement related to $294 million of the $915 million outstanding at January 1, 2010 and $1,100 million of the $1,939 million maximum participation.

In June 2010, the Company terminated the European arrangement and replaced it with a new arrangement that qualified for treatment as a sale under ASU 2009-16. The arrangement related to $584 million of the $915 million outstanding at January 1, 2010 and $721 million of the $1,939 million maximum participation.

Sale of Trade Accounts Receivable in North America

In January 2010, the Company terminated its previous facilities used in North America for the transfers of trade accounts receivable by entering into an agreement to repurchase the outstanding receivables for $264 million and replacing it with a new arrangement. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, under the new arrangement, the Company sold the trade accounts receivable of select North America entities on a revolving basis to certain multi-seller commercial paper conduit entities. The Company maintains servicing responsibilities and the related costs are insignificant. The proceeds received are comprised of cash and interests in specified assets (the receivables sold by the Company) of the conduits that entitle the Company to the residual cash flows of such specified assets in the conduits after the commercial paper has been repaid. Neither the conduits nor the investors in those entities have recourse to other assets of the Company in the event of nonpayment by the debtors.

During the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized a loss of $5 million on the sale of these receivables ($14 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010), which is classified as “Interest expense and amortization of debt discount” in the consolidated statements of income. The Company classifies its interests in the conduits as “Accounts and notes receivable – Other” on the consolidated balance sheets and those interests are carried at fair value. Fair value of the interests is determined by calculating the expected amount of cash to be received and is based on unobservable inputs (a Level 3 measurement). The key input in the valuation is percentage of anticipated credit losses, which was 1.44 percent, in the portfolio of receivables sold that have not yet been collected. Given the short-term nature of the underlying receivables, discount rates and prepayments are not factors in determining the fair value of the interests. At September 30, 2010, the carrying value of the interests held was $1,160 million, which is the Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to the receivables sold.

The sensitivity of the fair value of the interests held to hypothetical adverse changes in the anticipated credit losses are as follows (amounts shown are the corresponding hypothetical decreases in the carrying value of the interests):

 

  Impact to Carrying Value

  In millions

       

  10% adverse change

   $ 2     

  20% adverse change

   $ 4     

Following is an analysis of certain cash flows between the Company and the North American conduits:

 

  Cash Proceeds

  In millions

  

Nine Months Ended  

Sept. 30, 2010  

 

  Sale of receivables

     $264     

  Collections reinvested in revolving receivables

     $12,611     

  Interests in conduits (1)

     $810     
(1) Presented in operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

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Delinquencies on the sold receivables that were still outstanding at September 30, 2010 were $131 million. Trade accounts receivable outstanding and derecognized from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2010 were $1,980 million. Credit losses, net of any recoveries, on receivables sold during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 were $2 million.

Sale of Trade Accounts Receivable in Europe

In June 2010, the Company terminated its previous facility used in Europe for the transfers of trade accounts receivable by entering into an agreement to repurchase the outstanding receivables for $11 million and replacing it with a new arrangement. Since June 2010, under the new arrangement, the Company sold qualifying trade accounts receivable of select European entities on a revolving basis to certain multi-seller commercial paper conduit entities. The Company maintains servicing responsibilities and the related costs are insignificant. The proceeds received are comprised of cash and interests in specified assets (the receivables sold by the Company) of the conduits that entitle the Company to the residual cash flows of such specified assets in the conduits after the commercial paper has been repaid. Neither the conduits nor the investors in those entities have recourse to other assets of the Company in the event of nonpayment by the debtors.

During the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized a loss of $3 million on the sale of these receivables ($4 million from the June 2010 inception of the new arrangement through September 30, 2010), which is classified as “Interest expense and amortization of debt discount” in the consolidated statements of income. The Company classifies its interests in the conduits as “Accounts and notes receivable – Other” on the consolidated balance sheets and those interests are carried at fair value. Fair value of the interests is determined by calculating the expected amount of cash to be received and is based on unobservable inputs (a Level 3 measurement). The key input in the valuation is percentage of anticipated credit losses, which was zero, in the portfolio of receivables sold that have not yet been collected. Given the short-term nature of the underlying receivables, discount rates and prepayments are not factors in determining the fair value of the interests. At September 30, 2010, the carrying value of the interests held was $152 million, which is the Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to the receivables sold.

Following is an analysis of certain cash flows between the Company and the European conduits:

 

  Cash Proceeds

  In millions

  

Nine Months Ended  

Sept. 30, 2010   

 

  Sale of receivables

     $582     

  Collections reinvested in revolving receivables

     $2,018     

  Interests in conduits (1)

     $8     
(1) Presented in operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Delinquencies on the sold receivables still outstanding at September 30, 2010 were $19 million. Trade accounts receivable outstanding and derecognized from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2010 were $399 million. There were no credit losses on receivables sold since June 2010.

Sale of Trade Accounts Receivable in Asia Pacific

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company sold a participating interest in trade accounts receivable of select Asia Pacific entities for which the Company maintains servicing responsibilities and the related costs are insignificant. The third-party holders of the participating interests do not have recourse to the Company’s assets in the event of nonpayment by the debtors.

During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized a loss of less than $1 million on the sale of the participating interests in the receivables. The Company receives cash upon the sale of the participating interests in the receivables.

 

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Following is an analysis of certain cash flows between the Company and the third-party holders of the participating interests:

 

  Cash Proceeds

  In millions

  

Nine Months Ended  

Sept. 30, 2010   

 

  Sale of participating interests

     $163     

  Collections reinvested in revolving receivables

     $145     

Following is additional information related to the sale of participating interests in the receivables under this facility:

 

  Trade Accounts Receivable

  In millions

   Sept. 30, 2010    

  Derecognized from the consolidated balance sheet

     $  28     

  Outstanding in the consolidated balance sheet

     239     

  Total accounts receivable in select Asia Pacific entities

     $267     

Credit losses, net of any recoveries, on receivables relating to the participating interests sold during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 and delinquencies on the outstanding receivables at September 30, 2010 related to the participating interests sold were zero.

NOTE L – VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASU 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.” ASU 2009-17 amends the consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and requires additional disclosures concerning an enterprise’s continuing involvement with VIEs. The Company evaluated the impact of this guidance and determined that the adoption resulted in the January 1, 2010 consolidation of two additional joint ventures, an owner trust and an entity that is used to monetize accounts receivable. The Company elected prospective application of this guidance at adoption.

The following table summarizes the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities of the two additional joint ventures and the owner trust entity included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at January 1, 2010.

 

  Assets and Liabilities of Newly Consolidated VIEs Included in the

  Consolidated Balance Sheet

  In millions

   Jan. 1, 2010    

  Current assets

     $  37     

  Property

     209     

  Other noncurrent assets

     3     

  Total assets

     $249     

  Current liabilities

     $  76     

  Long-term debt

     346     

  Total liabilities

     $422     

The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities pertaining to the entity used to monetize accounts receivables, included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at January 1, 2010, were current assets of $817 million (including $436 million of restricted cash) and current liabilities of $589 million.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

The Company holds a variable interest in four joint ventures for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Three of the joint ventures are development stage enterprises, which will produce propylene oxide and hydrogen peroxide and provide terminal services in Thailand. The Company’s variable interest in these joint ventures relates to cost-plus arrangements between the joint venture and the Company, involving the majority of the output on take-or-pay terms and ensuring a guaranteed return to the joint ventures. At September 30, 2010, the Company provided guarantees with a maximum exposure of $770 million on the construction-related debt of these joint ventures.

 

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The other joint venture was acquired through the acquisition of Rohm and Haas on April 1, 2009. This joint venture manufactures products in Japan for the semiconductor industry. Each joint venture partner holds several equivalent variable interests, with the exception of a royalty agreement held exclusively between the joint venture and the Company. In addition, the entire output of the joint venture is sold to the Company for resale to third-party customers.

The Company holds a variable interest in an owner trust, for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The owner trust leases an ethylene facility in The Netherlands to the Company, whereby substantially all of the rights and obligations of ownership are transferred to the Company. The Company’s variable interest in the owner trust relates to a residual value guarantee provided to the owner trust. Upon expiration of the lease, which matures in 2014, the Company may purchase the facility for an amount based on a fair market value determination. At September 30, 2010, the Company had provided to the owner trust a residual value guarantee of $363 million, which represents the Company’s maximum exposure to loss under the lease.

As the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, the entities’ assets, liabilities and results of operations are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The other equity holders’ interests are reflected in “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests” in the consolidated statements of income and “Noncontrolling interests” in the consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the carrying amounts of the entities’ assets and liabilities included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

 

  Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated VIEs

  In millions

   Sept. 30,
2010
     Dec. 31,  
2009  
 

  Current assets (restricted 2010: $163)

     $   163         $102     

  Property (restricted 2010: $1,114)

     1,114         455     

  Other noncurrent assets (restricted 2010: $120)

     120         81     

  Total assets

     $1,397         $638     

  Current liabilities (nonrecourse 2010: $182)

     $   726         $183     

  Long-term debt (nonrecourse 2010: $139)

     485         125     

  Other noncurrent liabilities (nonrecourse 2010: $63)

     63         43     

  Total liabilities

     $1,274         $351     

The Company holds a variable interest in an entity created in June 2010, used to monetize accounts receivable originated by several European subsidiaries. The Company is the primary beneficiary of this entity as a result of holding subordinated notes while maintaining servicing responsibilities for the accounts receivable. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities pertaining to this entity, included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2010, were current assets of $153 million (zero restricted) and current liabilities of $1 million ($1 million nonrecourse). Prior to the creation of this entity, the Company held a variable interest in another entity that was also used to monetize accounts receivable originated by several European subsidiaries. That arrangement was terminated in June 2010. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of terminating the arrangement.

Amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet and the table above as restricted assets or nonrecourse obligations relating to consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2010 are adjusted for intercompany eliminations, parental guarantees and residual value guarantees.

Nonconsolidated Variable Interest Entity

The Company holds a variable interest in a joint venture accounted for under the equity method of accounting, acquired through the acquisition of Rohm and Haas on April 1, 2009. The joint venture manufactures crude acrylic acid in the United States and Germany on behalf of the Company and the other joint venture partner. The variable interest relates to a cost-plus arrangement between the joint venture and each joint venture partner. The Company is not the primary beneficiary, as a majority of the joint venture’s output is sold to the other joint venture partner, and therefore the entity is not consolidated. At September 30, 2010, the Company’s investment in the joint venture was $143 million, classified as “Investment in nonconsolidated affiliates” in the consolidated balance sheet, representing the Company’s maximum exposure to loss.

 

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NOTE M – PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

  Net Periodic Benefit Cost for All Significant Plans    Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
  In millions   

Sept. 30,

2010

    

Sept. 30,

2009

    

Sept. 30,

2010

    

Sept. 30,  

2009  

 

  Defined Benefit Pension Plans:

           

  Service cost

     $     76          $   70          $ 232          $ 198      

  Interest cost

     272          281          821          799      

  Expected return on plan assets

     (301)         (323)         (907)         (932)     

  Amortization of prior service cost

                     21          24      

  Amortization of net loss

     67          27          201          79      

  Curtailment cost

                             -      

  Net periodic benefit cost

     $   121          $   63          $ 376          $ 168      

  Other Postretirement Benefits:

           

  Service cost

     $       4          $     5          $   12          $   14      

  Interest cost

     28          35          84          100      

  Expected return on plan assets

     (3)         (4)         (9)         (12)     

  Amortization of prior service credit

             (1)                 (3)     

  Curtailment cost

                             -      

  Net periodic benefit cost

     $      29         $     35         $   90          $   99      

As a result of the divestiture of the Styron business unit on June 17, 2010, the Company recognized a curtailment loss of $11 million and improved the funded status (plan assets less benefit obligations) by $99 million due to settlements, remeasurements and curtailments in the second quarter of 2010 (see Note E).

The Company’s funding policy is to contribute to its pension plans when pension laws and/or economics either require or encourage funding. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company contributed $177 million to its pension plans, including contributions to fund benefit payments for its non-qualified supplemental plans. The Company expects to contribute approximately $400 million to its pension plans in the fourth quarter of 2010.

NOTE N – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company grants stock-based compensation to employees under the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and the 1988 Award and Option Plan (the “1988 Plan”) and to non-employee directors under the 2003 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Incentive Plan. Most of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards are granted in the first quarter of each year. Details for awards granted in the first quarter of 2010 are included in the following paragraphs. There was minimal grant activity in the second and third quarters of 2010.

During the first quarter of 2010, employees subscribed to the right to purchase 13.8 million shares with a weighted-average exercise price of $18.09 per share and a weighted-average fair value of $11.90 per share under the ESPP.

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company granted the following stock-based compensation awards to employees under the 1988 Plan:

 

   

8.5 million stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $27.79 per share and a weighted-average fair value of $9.17 per share;

 

   

4.3 million shares of deferred stock with a weighted-average fair value of $27.81 per share; and

 

   

0.9 million shares of performance deferred stock with a weighted-average fair value of $27.79 per share.

 

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During the first quarter of 2010, the Company granted the following stock-based compensation awards to non-employee directors under the 2003 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Incentive Plan:

 

   

38,940 shares of restricted stock with a weighted-average fair value of $30.00 per share.

Total unrecognized compensation cost at September 30, 2010, including unrecognized cost related to the first quarter of 2010 activity, is provided in the following table:

 

  Total Unrecognized Compensation Cost at September 30, 2010  
  In millions    Unrecognized  
Compensation  
Cost  
     Weighted-average  
Recognition  
Period  
 

  ESPP purchase rights

     $11           0.13 year     

  Unvested stock options

     $43           0.71 year     

  Deferred stock awards

     $108           0.86 year     

  Performance deferred stock awards

     $40           0.57 year     

NOTE O – INCOME TAXES

At September 30, 2010, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $315 million ($650 million at December 31, 2009), of which $293 million ($610 million at December 31, 2009) would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized. The reduction in 2010 was primarily due to settlements of uncertain tax positions with tax authorities.

The Company is currently under examination in a number of tax jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that these examinations may be resolved within the next twelve months. As a result, it is reasonably possible that the total gross unrecognized tax benefits of the Company at September 30, 2010 will be reduced by approximately $51 million. The amount of settlement remains uncertain and it is reasonably possible that before settlement, the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease by approximately $30 million. The impact on the Company’s results of operations is not expected to be material.

 

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NOTE P – EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS

 

  Net Income    Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
  In millions   

Sept. 30,

2010

     Sept. 30,
2009
     Sept. 30,
2010
     Sept. 30,
2009
 

  Income from continuing operations

     $597          $799          $1,808          $388    

  Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (benefit)

             (4)                 110    

  Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

                     (9)         (22)   

  Net income attributable to The Dow Chemical Company

     $597          $796          $1,799          $476    

  Preferred stock dividends

     (85)         (85)         (255)         (227)   

  Net income available for common stockholders

     $512          $711          $1,544          $249    
           
  Earnings Per Share Calculations - Basic    Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
  Dollars per share   

Sept. 30,

2010

    

Sept. 30,

2009

    

Sept. 30,

2010

    

Sept. 30,

2009

 

  Income from continuing operations

     $0.53          $0.72          $1.61          $0.38    

  Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (benefit)

             (0.01)                 0.11    

  Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

             0.01          (0.01)         (0.02)   

  Net income attributable to The Dow Chemical Company

     $0.53          $0.72          $1.60          $0.47    

  Preferred stock dividends

     (0.08)         (0.08)         (0.23)         (0.23)   

  Net income available for common stockholders

     $0.45          $0.64          $1.37          $0.24    
           
  Earnings Per Share Calculations - Diluted    Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
  Dollars per share    Sept. 30,
2010
     Sept. 30,
2009
     Sept. 30,
2010
     Sept. 30,
2009
 

  Income from continuing operations

     $0.52          $0.71          $1.58          $0.38    

  Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (benefit)

             (0.01)                 0.11    

  Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

             0.01          (0.01)         (0.02)   

  Net income attributable to The Dow Chemical Company

     $0.52          $0.71          $1.57          $0.47    

  Preferred stock dividends (1)

     (0.07)         (0.08)         (0.22)         (0.23)   

  Net income available for common stockholders

     $0.45          $0.63          $1.35          $0.24    
  Shares in millions                                

  Weighted-average common shares - basic

     1,128.0          1,108.4          1,123.6          1,020.0    

  Plus dilutive effect of stock options and awards

     17.5          12.3          17.1          9.4    

  Weighted-average common shares - diluted

     1,145.5          1,120.7          1,140.7          1,029.4    

  Stock options and deferred stock awards excluded from EPS calculations (2)

     52.7          51.2          49.1          59.8    

  Conversion of preferred stock excluded from EPS calculations (3)

     96.8          96.8          96.8          72.4    
(1) Preferred stock dividends were not added back in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of adding them back would have been anti-dilutive.
(2) These outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock and deferred stock awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.
(3) Conversion of the Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A into shares of the Company’s common stock was excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

 

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NOTE Q – OPERATING SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

Corporate Profile

Dow combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses deliver a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $44.9 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. The following descriptions of the Company’s eight operating segments include a representative listing of products for each business.

ELECTRONIC AND SPECIALTY MATERIALS

Applications: chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) pads and slurries • chemical processing and intermediates • electronic displays • food and pharmaceutical processing and ingredients • printed circuit board materials • semiconductor packaging, connectors and industrial finishing • water purification

Dow Electronic Materials is a leading global supplier of materials for chemical mechanical planarization; materials used in the production of electronic displays; products and technologies that drive leading edge semiconductor design; materials used in the fabrication of printed circuit boards; and integrated metallization processes critical for interconnection, corrosion resistance, metal finishing and decorative applications. These enabling materials are found in applications such as consumer electronics, flat panel displays and telecommunications.

 

   

Products: ACuPLANE™ CMP slurries; AR™ antireflective coatings; AUROLECTROLESS™ immersion gold process; COPPER GLEAM™ acid copper plating products; DURAPOSIT™ electroless nickel process; ENLIGHT™ products for photovoltaic manufacturers; EPIC™ immersion photoresists; INTERVIA™ photodielectrics for advanced packaging; LITHOJET™ digital imaging processes; OPTOGRADE™ metalorganic precursors; VISIONPAD™ CMP pads

Specialty Materials is a portfolio of businesses characterized by a vast global footprint, a broad array of unique chemistries, multi-functional ingredients and technology capabilities, combined with key positions in the pharmaceuticals, food, home and personal care, water and energy production, and industrial specialty industries. These technology capabilities and market platforms enable the businesses to develop innovative solutions that address modern societal needs for sufficient and clean water, air and energy, material preservation and improved health care, disease prevention, nutrition and wellness. The businesses’ global footprint and geographic reach provide multiple opportunities for value growth. Specialty Materials consists of five global businesses: Dow Water and Process Solutions, Dow Home and Personal Care, Dow Microbial Control, Dow Wolff Cellulosics and Performance Materials.

 

   

Products and Services: Acrolein derivatives; ACUDYNE™ hair fixatives; ACULYN™ rheology modifiers; ACUMER™ scale inhibitors and dispersants; AMBERLITE™ ion exchange resins; AUTOMATE™ liquid dyes; Basic nitroparaffins and nitroparaffin-based specialty chemicals; BOROL™ bleaching solution; CANGUARD™ BIT preservatives; CELLOSIZE™ hydroxyethyl cellulose; Chiral compounds and biocatalysts; CLEAR+STABLE™ carboxymethyl cellulose; CORRGUARD™ amino alcohol; CYCLOTENE™ advanced electronics resins; DOW™ electrodeionization; DOW™ latex powders; DOW™ ultrafiltration; DOWEX™ ion exchange resins; DOWICIDE™ antimicrobial bactericides and fungicides; DURAPLUS™ floor care polymers; ECOSURF™ biodegradable surfactants; EVOCAR™ vinyl acetate ethylene; FILMTEC™ elements; FORTEFIBER™ soluble dietary fiber; FOUNDATIONS™ latex; Hydrocarbon resins; Industrial biocides; METHOCEL™ cellulose ethers; MORTRACE™ marking technologies; NEOCAR™ branched vinyl ester latexes; OPULYN™ opacifiers; POLYOX™ water-soluble resins; PRIMENE™ amines; Quaternaries; Reverse osmosis, electrodeionization and ultrafiltration modules; SATINFX™ delivery system; SATISFIT™ Weight Care Technology; SILK™ semiconductor dielectric resins; SOLTERRA™ Boost ultraviolet protection-boosting polymers; SOLTEX™ waterproofing polymer; SUNSPHERES™ SPF boosters; UCAR™ all-acrylic, styrene-acrylic and vinyl-acrylic latexes; UCAR™ POLYPHOBE™ rheology modifiers; UCARE™ polymers; UCARHIDE™ opacifier; WALOCEL™ cellulose polymers; WALSRODER™ nitrocellulose

 

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The Electronic and Specialty Materials segment also includes the Company’s share of the results of Dow Corning Corporation, a joint venture of the Company.

COATINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Applications: building and construction, insulation and weatherization, roofing membrane systems, adhesives and sealants • construction materials (vinyl siding, vinyl windows, vinyl fencing) • flexible and rigid packaging • general mortars and concrete, cement modifiers and plasters, tile adhesives and grouts • house and traffic paints • leather, textile, graphic arts and paper • metal coatings • processing aids for plastic production • tapes and labels

Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers is a portfolio of businesses that primarily manufacture sticking and bonding solutions for a wide range of applications, including adhesive tapes and paper labels, flexible packaging and leather, textile and imaging. These products are supported with market recognized best-in-class technical support and end-use application knowledge. Many of the businesses’ water-borne technologies are well-positioned to support more environmentally preferred applications.

 

   

Products: ADCOTE™ and AQUA-LAM™ laminating adhesives; MOR-FREE™ solventless adhesives; ROBOND™ acrylic adhesives; SERFENE™ barrier coatings; Solvent-based polyurethanes and polyesters; TYMOR™ tie resins

Dow Building and Construction is comprised of two global businesses – Dow Building Solutions and Dow Construction Chemicals – which offer extensive lines of industry-leading insulation, housewrap, sealant and adhesive products and systems, as well as construction chemical solutions. Through its strong sales support, customer service and technical expertise, Dow Building Solutions provides meaningful solutions for improving the energy efficiency in homes and buildings today, while also addressing the industry’s emerging needs and demands. Additionally, Dow Construction Chemicals provides solutions for increased durability, greater water resistance and lower systems costs. As a leader in insulation solutions, the businesses’ products help curb escalating utility bills, reduce a building’s carbon footprint and provide a more comfortable indoor environment.

 

   

Products: AQUASET™ acrylic thermosetting resins; CELLOSIZE™ hydroxyethyl cellulose; FROTH-PAK™ polyurethane spray foam; GREAT STUFF™ polyurethane foam sealant; INSTA-STIK™ roof insulation adhesive; POWERHOUSE™ solar shingle; RHOPLEX™ aqueous acrylic polymer emulsions; STYROFOAM™ brand insulation products (including extruded polystyrene and polyisocyanurate rigid foam sheathing products); THERMAX™ insulation; TILE BOND™ roof tile adhesive; WEATHERMATE™ weather barrier solutions (housewraps, sill pans, flashings and tapes)

Dow Coating Materials is the largest coatings supplier in the world and a premier supplier of raw materials for architectural paints and industrial coatings. The business manufactures and delivers solutions that leverage high quality, technologically advanced product offerings for paint and coatings. The business also offers technologies used in industrial coatings, including packaging, pipelines, wood, automotive, marine, maintenance and protective industries. The business is also the leader in the conversion of solvent to water-based technologies, which enable customers to offer more environmentally friendly products, including low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and other sustainable coatings.

 

   

Products: ACRYSOL™ rheology modifiers; AVANSE™, ELASTENE™, PRIMAL™ and RHOPLEX™ acrylics; CELLOSOLVE™ and the CARBITOL™ and DOWANOL™ series of oxygenated solvents; D.E.H.™ curing agent and intermediates; D.E.R.™ and D.E.N.™ liquid and epoxy resins; FORTEGRA™ Epoxy Tougheners; OROTAN™ and TAMOL™ dispersants; ROPAQUE™ opaque polymers; TRITON™, TERGITOL™, DOWFAX™ and ECOSURF™ SA surfactants

 

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HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Applications: agricultural seeds, traits (genes) and oils • control of weeds, insects and plant diseases for agriculture and pest management

Dow AgroSciences is a global leader in providing agricultural and plant biotechnology products, pest management solutions and healthy oils. The business invents, develops, manufactures and markets products for use in agriculture, industrial and commercial pest management, and food service.

 

   

Products: AGROMEN™ seeds; BRODBECK™ seed; CLINCHER™ herbicide; DAIRYLAND™ seed; DELEGATE™ insecticide; DITHANE™ fungicide; FORTRESS™ fungicide; GARLON™ herbicide; GLYPHOMAX™ herbicide; GRANITE™ herbicide; HERCULEX™ I, HERCULEX™ RW and HERCULEX™ XTRA insect protection; KEYSTONE™ herbicides; LAREDO™ fungicide; LONTREL™ herbicide; LORSBAN™ insecticides; MILESTONE™ herbicide; MUSTANG™ herbicide; MYCOGEN™ seeds; NEXERA™ canola and sunflower seeds; PHYTOGEN™ cottonseeds; PROFUME™ gas fumigant; RENZE™ seed; SENTRICON™ termite colony elimination system; SIMPLICITY™ herbicide; STARANE™ herbicide; TELONE™ soil fumigant; TORDON™ herbicide; TRACER™ NATURALYTE™ insect control; TRIUMPH™ seed; VIKANE™ structural fumigant; WIDESTRIKE™ insect protection

The Health and Agricultural Sciences segment also includes the results of the AgroFresh business, providing a portfolio of products used for maintaining the freshness of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS

Applications: automotive interiors, exteriors, under-the-hood and body engineered systems • bedding • caps and closures • food and specialty packaging • footwear • furniture • gaskets and sealing components • manufactured housing and modular construction • medical equipment • mining • pipe treatment • pressure sensitive adhesives • transportation • vinyl exteriors • waterproofing membranes • wire and cable insulation and jacketing materials for power utility and telecommunications

Dow Automotive Systems is a leading global provider of technology-driven solutions that meet consumer demand for vehicles that are safer, stronger, quieter, lighter, more comfortable and stylish. The business provides plastics, adhesives, glass bonding systems, emissions control technology, films, fluids, structural enhancement and acoustical management solutions to original equipment manufacturers, tier, aftermarket and commercial transportation customers. With offices and application development centers around the world, Automotive Systems provides materials science expertise and comprehensive technical capabilities to its customers worldwide.

 

   

Products: AERIFY™ diesel particulate filters; BETAFOAM™ NVH acoustical foams; BETAMATE™ structural adhesives; BETASEAL™ glass bonding systems; DOW™ polyethylene resins; IMPAXX™ energy management foam; INSPIRE™ performance polymers; INTEGRAL™ adhesive films; ISONATE™ pure and modified methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) products; MAGNUM™ ABS resins; PELLETHANE™ thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers; Premium brake fluids and lubricants; PULSE™ engineering resins; SPECFLEX™ semi-flexible polyurethane foam systems

Dow Elastomers offers a unique set of elastomers, specialty films and plastic additive products for customers worldwide. The business is focused on delivering innovative solutions that allow for differentiated participation in multiple industries and applications. The business offers a broad range of performance elastomers and plastomers, specialty copolymers, synthetic rubber, specialty resins, and films and plastic additives. Key applications include adhesives, transportation, building and construction, packaging and consumer durables.

 

   

Products: ADVASTAB™ thermal stabilizer; AFFINITY™ polyolefin plastomers (POPs); AMPLIFY™ functional polymers; DOW™ Adhesive Film; DOW™ Backing Layer Film; DOW™ Medical Device Film; DOW™ Medical Packaging Film; DOW™ very low density polyethylene; ENGAGE™ polyolefin elastomers; INFUSE™ olefin block copolymers; INTEGRAL™ adhesive films; NORDEL™ hydrocarbon rubber; NYLOPAK™ nylon barrier films; OPTICITE™ films; PARALOID™ EXL impact modifier;

 

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PRIMACOR™ copolymers; PROCITE™ window envelope films; PULSE™ engineering resins; SARAN™ barrier resins; SARANEX™ barrier films; TRENCHCOAT™ protective films; TRYCITE™ polystyrene film; TYBRITE™ clear packaging film; TYRIN™ chlorinated polyethylene; VERSIFY™ plastomers and elastomers

Dow Formulated Systems manufactures and markets custom formulated, rigid and semi-rigid, flexible, integral skin and microcellular polyurethane foams and systems and tailor-made epoxy solutions and systems. These products are used in a broad range of applications including appliances, athletic equipment, automotive, bedding, construction, decorative molding, furniture, shoe soles and wind turbines.

 

   

Products: AIRSTONE™ epoxy systems; Encapsulants and chemical compositions; ENFORCER™ Technology and ENHANCER™ Technology for polyurethane carpet and turf backing; HYPERKOTE™, TRAFFIDECK™ and VERDISEAL™ waterproofing systems; HYPOL™ hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymers; RENUVA™ Renewable Resource Technology; SPECFIL™ urethane components; SPECFLEX™ copolymer polyols; SPECTRIM™ reaction moldable products; VORACOR™ and VORALAST™ polyurethane systems and VORALAST™ R renewable content system; VORAMER™ industrial adhesives and binders; VORASTAR™ polymers; XITRACK™ polyurethane rail ballast stabilization systems

Dow Wire and Cable is the world’s leading provider of polymers, additives and specialty oil technology-based solutions for electrical and telecommunication applications. Through its suite of polyolefin ENDURANCE™ products, the business sets industry standards for assurance of longevity, efficiency, ease of installation and protection in the transmission, distribution and consumption of power, voice and data. In addition to world-class power, telecommunications and flame retardant/specialty cable applications, the business supports its product offerings with solid research, product development, engineering and market validation expertise.

 

   

Products: ENGAGE™ polyolefin elastomers; NORDEL™ hydrocarbon rubber; SI-LINK™ and REDI-LINK™ moisture crosslinkable polyethylene-based wire and cable insulation compounds; TYRIN™ chlorinated polyethylene; UNIGARD™ flame retardant compound for specialty wire and cable applications

The Performance Systems segment also includes the results of Dow Fiber Solutions, providing differentiated fibers and process improvements to the textile industry, and Dow Oil and Gas, providing products for use in exploration and production, refining and gas processing, transportation, and fuel and lubricant performance.

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners; the transaction closed on June 17, 2010. Businesses and products sold included Synthetic Rubber and certain products from Dow Automotive Systems, which were reported in the Performance Systems segment through the date of the divestiture (see Note E).

PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS

Applications: adhesives • aircraft and runway deicing fluids • appliances • carpeting • chelating agents • chemical intermediates • civil engineering • cleaning products • coated paper and paperboard • composites • construction • corrosion inhibitors • detergents, cleaners and fabric softeners • electrical castings, potting and encapsulation and tooling • electrical laminates • electronics • flavors and fragrances • flooring • footwear • gas treatment • heat transfer fluids • home and office furnishings • industrial coatings • mattresses • metalworking fluids • packaging • sealants • surfactants

The Amines business is the world’s largest producer of ethanolamines, ethyleneamines and isopropanolamines used in a wide variety of applications, including gas treatment, heavy-duty liquid detergents, herbicide formulations for the agricultural industry and personal care products.

 

   

Products: Alkyl alkanolamines; Ethanolamines; Ethyleneamines; Isopropanolamines; Piperazine; VERSENE™ chelating agents

 

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The Emulsion Polymers business provided a broad line of styrene-butadiene products supporting customers in paper and paperboard applications, as well as carpet and artificial turf backings.

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners; the transaction closed on June 17, 2010. Businesses sold included Emulsion Polymers (styrene-butadiene latex), which was reported in the Performance Products segment through the date of the divestiture (see Note E).

The Epoxy business is the world’s largest producer of epoxy resins and intermediates. The business is the most feedstock-integrated supplier in the world. Epoxies provide good adhesion and coating protection over a range of environmental conditions, making them ideal for applications such as transportation, marine and civil engineering.

 

   

Products: D.E.H.™ epoxy curing agents or hardeners; D.E.N.™ epoxy novolac resins; D.E.R.™ epoxy resins (liquids, solids and solutions); Epoxy intermediates (acetone, allyl chloride, epichlorohydrin and phenol); Epoxy resin waterborne emulsions and dispersions; FORTEGRA™ epoxy tougheners; Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)

The Oxygenated Solvents business offers a full range of acetone derivatives, alcohols, esters, and ethylene- and propylene-based glycol ether products. The business is the industry leader in solvent products used in cleaning products, inks, electronics, mining, paints and coatings, personal care and other applications.

 

   

Products: Acetic esters; Acetone derivatives; Alcohols; Aldehydes; Butyl CARBITOL™ and Butyl CELLOSOLVE™ solvents; Carboxylic acids; DOWANOL™ glycol ethers; ECOSOFT™ IK solvent; PROGLYDE™ DMM solvent; UCAR™ propionates

The Performance Monomers business produces specialty monomer products that are sold externally as well as consumed internally as building blocks used in downstream polymer businesses. The business’ products are used in several applications, including cleaning materials, personal care products, paints, coatings and inks.

 

   

Products: Acrylic acid/acrylic esters; ACUMER™, ACUSOL™, DURAMAX™, OPTIDOSE™, ROMAX™ and TAMOL™ dispersants; Methyl methacrylate

The Polyglycols, Surfactants and Fluids business is one of the world’s leading suppliers of polyglycols and surfactants, with a broad range of products and technology and a proven record of performance and economy. The business also produces a broad line of lubricants, hydraulic fluids, aircraft deicing fluids and thermal fluids, with some of the most recognized brand names in the industry. Product applications include chemical processing, cleaning, heating, cooling, food and beverage processing, fuel additives, paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals and silicone surfactants.

 

   

Products: AMBITROL™ and NORKOOL™ coolants; CARBOWAX™ and CARBOWAX SENTRY™ polyethylene glycols and methoxypolyethylene glycols; DOW™ polypropylene glycols; DOW™ SYMBIO base fluid; DOWFAX™, TERGITOL™ and TRITON™ surfactants; DOWFROST™ and DOWTHERM™ heat transfer fluids; ECOSURF™ biodegradable surfactants; SYNALOX™ lubricants; UCAR™ deicing fluids; UCON™ fluids

The Polyurethanes business is a leading global producer of polyurethane raw materials. Dow’s polyurethane products are used in a broad range of applications including appliance, athletic equipment, automotive, bedding, construction, decorative molding, furniture and shoe soles.

 

   

Products: ECHELON™ polyurethane prepolymer; ISONATE™ methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI); MONOTHANE™ single component polyurethane elastomers; PAPI™ polymeric MDI; Propylene glycol; Propylene oxide; RENUVA™ Renewable Resource Technology; VORANATE™ isocyanate; VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyether and copolymer polyols

 

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The Performance Products segment also includes the results of Dow Haltermann, a provider of world-class contract manufacturing services to companies in the fine and specialty chemicals and polymers industries, and SAFECHEM, a wholly owned subsidiary that manufactures closed-loop systems to manage the risks associated with chlorinated solvents. The segment also includes a portion of the results of the OPTIMAL Group of Companies (through the September 30, 2009 divestiture of this group of joint ventures) and the SCG-Dow Group, joint ventures of the Company.

BASIC PLASTICS

Applications: adhesives • appliances and appliance housings • agricultural films • automotive parts and trim • beverage bottles • bins, crates, pails and pallets • building and construction • coatings • consumer and durable goods • consumer electronics • disposable diaper liners • fibers and nonwovens • films, bags and packaging for food and consumer products • hoses and tubing • household and industrial bottles • housewares • hygiene and medical films • industrial and consumer films and foams • information technology • oil tanks and road equipment • plastic pipe • textiles • toys, playground equipment and recreational products • wire and cable compounds

The Polyethylene business is the world’s leading supplier of polyethylene-based solutions through sustainable product differentiation. With multiple catalyst and process technologies, the business offers customers one of the industry’s broadest ranges of polyethylene resins.

 

   

Products: ASPUN™ fiber grade resins; ATTANE™ ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE) resins; CONTINUUM™ bimodal polyethylene resins; DOW™ high density polyethylene (HDPE) resins; DOW™ low density polyethylene (LDPE) resins; DOWLEX™ polyethylene resins; ELITE™ enhanced polyethylene (EPE) resins; TUFLIN™ linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins; UNIVAL™ HDPE resins

The Polypropylene business, a major global polypropylene supplier, provides a broad range of products and solutions tailored to customer needs by leveraging Dow’s leading manufacturing and application technology, research and product development expertise, extensive market knowledge and strong customer relationships.

 

   

Products: DOW™ homopolymer polypropylene resins; DOW™ impact copolymer polypropylene resins; DOW™ random copolymer polypropylene resins; INSPIRE™ performance polymers; UNIPOL™ PP process technology; SHAC™ and SHAC™ ADT catalyst systems

The Styrenics business, the global leader in the production of polystyrene resins, is uniquely positioned with geographic breadth and participation in a diversified portfolio of applications.

 

   

Products: Licensing and supply of related catalysts, process control software and services for the Mass ABS process technology; STYRON A-TECH™ and C-TECH™ advanced technology polystyrene resins and a full line of STYRON™ general purpose polystyrene resins; STYRON™ high-impact polystyrene resins

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners; the transaction closed on June 17, 2010. Businesses sold included Styrenics (polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile and expandable polystyrene), Polycarbonate and Compounds and Blends, as well as the Company’s 50 percent ownership interest in Americas Styrenics LLC, a principal nonconsolidated affiliate; all of which were reported in the Basic Plastics segment through the date of the divestiture (see Note E).

The Basic Plastics segment also includes the results of the Basic Plastics Licensing and Catalyst business and the Polycarbonate and Compounds and Blends business (through the June 17, 2010 divestiture of Styron). It also includes the results of Equipolymers, Americas Styrenics LLC (through the June 17, 2010 divestiture of Styron) and Univation Technologies, LLC (which licenses the UNIPOL™ polyethylene process and sells related catalysts, including metallocene catalysts), as well as a portion of the results of EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C., The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C. and the SCG-Dow Group, all joint ventures of the Company.

 

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BASIC CHEMICALS

Applications: agricultural products • alumina • automotive antifreeze and coolant systems • carpet and textiles • chemical processing • dry cleaning • household cleaners and plastic products • inks • metal cleaning • packaging, food and beverage containers • paints, coatings and adhesives • personal care products • petroleum refining • pharmaceuticals • plastic pipe • protective packaging • pulp and paper manufacturing • soaps and detergents • water treatment

The Chlor-Alkali/Chlor-Vinyl business focuses on the production of chlorine for consumption by downstream Dow derivatives, as well as production, marketing and supply of ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer and caustic soda. These products are used for applications such as alumina production, pulp and paper manufacturing, soaps and detergents and building and construction. Dow is the world’s largest producer of both chlorine and caustic soda.

 

   

Products: Caustic soda; Chlorine; Ethylene dichloride (EDC); Hydrochloric acid; Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)

The Ethylene Oxide/Ethylene Glycol business is the world’s largest producer of purified ethylene oxide, principally used in Dow’s downstream performance derivatives. Dow is also a key supplier of ethylene glycol to MEGlobal, a 50:50 joint venture and a world leader in the manufacture and marketing of merchant monoethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is used in polyester fiber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for food and beverage container applications, polyester film, and aircraft and runway deicers.

 

   

Products: Ethylene oxide (EO); Ethylene glycol (EG); METEOR™ EO/EG process technology and catalysts

The Basic Chemicals segment also includes the results of the Chlorinated Organics business. Also included in the Basic Chemicals segment are the results of MEGlobal and a portion of the results of EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C., The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C. and the OPTIMAL Group of Companies (through the September 30, 2009 divestiture of this group of joint ventures), all joint ventures of the Company.

HYDROCARBONS AND ENERGY

Applications: polymer and chemical production • power

The Hydrocarbons and Energy business encompasses the procurement of fuels, natural gas liquids and crude oil-based raw materials, as well as the supply of monomers, power and steam principally for use in Dow’s global operations. The business regularly sells its by-products and buys and sells products in order to balance regional production capabilities and derivative requirements. The business also sells products to certain Dow joint ventures. Dow is the world leader in the production of olefins and aromatics.

 

   

Products: Benzene; Butadiene; Butylene; Cumene; Ethylene; Propylene; Styrene; Power, steam and other utilities

The Hydrocarbons and Energy segment also includes the results of Compañía Mega S.A. and a portion of the results of The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C. and the SCG-Dow Group, joint ventures of the Company.

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners; the transaction closed on June 17, 2010. Businesses and products sold included certain styrene monomer assets, which were reported in the Hydrocarbons and Energy segment through the date of the divestiture (see Note E).

 

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Corporate includes the results of Ventures (which includes new business incubation platforms focused on identifying and pursuing new commercial opportunities); Venture Capital; non-business aligned technology licensing and catalyst activities; the Company’s insurance operations and environmental operations; and certain corporate overhead costs and cost recovery variances not allocated to the operating segments. In 2009, Corporate also included the results of the Salt business, which the Company acquired with the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas and sold to K+S Aktiengesellschaft on October 1, 2009.

Transfers of products between operating segments are generally valued at cost. However, transfers of products to Health and Agricultural Sciences from other segments are generally valued at market-based prices; the revenues generated by these transfers in the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 were immaterial and eliminated in consolidation.

Total assets divested with the sale of Styron on June 17, 2010 are presented by operating segment in Note E.

 

  Geographic Areas

     Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended       

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,    

2009    

  

  

  Sales by geographic area

           

United States

     $  4,271         $  3,841         $  13,116         $  10,408       

Europe, Middle East and Africa (1)

     4,293         4,240         13,761         11,574       

Rest of World

     4,304         3,965         13,026         10,427       

Total

     $12,868         $12,046         $  39,903         $  32,409       
(1) Sales to customers in the Middle East and Africa, previously reported with Rest of World, are now aligned with Europe, Middle East and Africa; prior period sales have been adjusted to reflect this realignment.

 

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  Operating Segments

     Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended   

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

  Sales by operating segment

           

Electronic and Specialty Materials

     $  1,402          $  1,256          $  4,054          $  2,896      

Coatings and Infrastructure

     1,321          1,330          3,868          2,978      

Health and Agricultural Sciences

     948          796          3,593          3,446      

Performance Systems

     1,578          1,538          5,027          4,167      

Performance Products

     2,630          2,420          8,187          6,392      

Basic Plastics

     2,618          2,636          8,633          7,036      

Basic Chemicals

     757          568          2,203          1,739      

Hydrocarbons and Energy

     1,540          1,209          4,096          3,107      

Corporate

     74          293          242          648      

Total

     $12,868          $12,046          $39,903          $32,409      

  EBITDA(1) by operating segment

           

Electronic and Specialty Materials

     $   426          $  407          $1,260          $  644      

Coatings and Infrastructure

     225          213          548          259      

Health and Agricultural Sciences

     (12)                 568          504      

Performance Systems

     225          207          652          521      

Performance Products

     429          438          1,047          840      

Basic Plastics

     731          590          2,145          1,117      

Basic Chemicals

     181          195          401          83      

Hydrocarbons and Energy

             457                  392      

Corporate

     (425)         (275)         (1,178)         (878)     

Total

     $1,782          $2,237          $5,444          $3,482      

  Equity in earnings (losses) of nonconsolidated affiliates by operating segment (included in EBITDA)

  

Electronic and Specialty Materials

     $  98          $  94          $323          $157      

Coatings and Infrastructure

     -                           3      

Health and Agricultural Sciences

                             3      

Performance Systems

     (2)                 -           6      

Performance Products

     (7)         19                  27      

Basic Plastics

     63          55          187          113      

Basic Chemicals

     92          45          244          94      

Hydrocarbons and Energy

             11          50          15      

Corporate

     (1)         (6)         (12)         (7)     

Total

     $251          $224          $799          $411      
(1) The Company uses EBITDA (which Dow defines as earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) as its measure of profit/loss for segment reporting purposes. EBITDA by operating segment includes all operating items relating to the businesses; items that principally apply to the Company as a whole are assigned to Corporate. A reconciliation of EBITDA to “Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes” is provided below.

 

  Reconciliation of EBITDA to “Income from

     Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended   

  Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes”

  In millions

    
 
Sept. 30,
2010
  
  
    
 
Sept. 30,
2009
  
  
    
 
Sept. 30,
2010
  
  
    
 
Sept. 30,
2009
  
  

  EBITDA

     $1,782         $2,237         $5,444         $3,482   

  - Depreciation and amortization

     716         752         2,207         2,023   

  + Interest income

     7         6         24         27   

  - Interest expense and amortization of debt discount

     362         488         1,105         1,167   

  Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

     $   711         $1,003         $2,156         $   319   

 

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The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and

Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries (“Dow” or the “Company”). This section covers the current performance and outlook of the Company and each of its operating segments. The forward-looking statements contained in this section and in other parts of this document involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company’s operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as more fully discussed elsewhere and in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company’s expectations will be realized. The Company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

OVERVIEW

 

The Company reported net sales in the third quarter of 2010 of $12.9 billion, up 7 percent from $12.0 billion in the third quarter of 2009. Price was up 8 percent, with increases across all geographic areas, largely driven by higher feedstock and raw material costs. Volume was down 1 percent, primarily as a result of prior period divestitures. Excluding prior period divestitures,(1) volume was up 14 percent, with volume improvement reported in all segments and geographic areas.

 

 

Purchased feedstock and energy costs, which account for more than one third of Dow’s total costs, increased $585 million (14 percent) compared with the third quarter of 2009.

 

 

Dow’s global plant operating rate was 86 percent in the third quarter of 2010, up 8 percentage points from the third quarter of 2009.

 

 

Equity earnings were $251 million in the third quarter of 2010, up 12 percent from the third quarter of 2009.

 

 

Capital spending was $497 million in the third quarter of 2010, on track with the full-year target of $2.0 billion. Debt as a percent of total capitalization at September 30, 2010 was 48.3 percent, down approximately 3 percentage points from year-end 2009.

 

(1) Excludes sales of the Salt business of Rohm and Haas Company divested on October 1, 2009; sales related to Total Raffinaderij Nederland N.V. (“TRN”) divested on September 1, 2009; sales of the acrylic monomer business and a portion of the specialty latex business divested on January 25, 2010; sales of the Powder Coatings business divested on June 1, 2010; and sales of Styron divested on June 17, 2010.

 

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  Selected Financial Data    Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
  In millions, except per share amounts   

Sept. 30,

2010

    

Sept. 30,

2009

    

Sept. 30,

2010

    

Sept. 30,

2009

 

Net sales

     $12,868         $12,046         $39,903         $32,409   

Cost of sales

     $10,841         $10,386         $33,962         $28,288   

Percent of net sales

     84.2%         86.2%         85.1%         87.3%   

Research and development expenses

     $403         $400         $1,217         $1,073   

Percent of net sales

     3.1%         3.3%         3.0%         3.3%   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     $640         $683         $1,950         $1,789   

Percent of net sales

     5.0%         5.7%         4.9%         5.5%   

Effective tax rate

     16.0%         20.3%         16.1%         (21.6)%   

Net income available for common stockholders

     $512         $711         $1,544         $249   

Earnings per common share – basic

     $0.45         $0.64         $1.37         $0.24   

Earnings per common share – diluted

     $0.45         $0.63         $1.35         $0.24   

Operating rate percentage

     86%         78%         83%         74%   

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Rohm and Haas Company (“Rohm and Haas”) are included in the Company’s consolidated results from the April 1, 2009 acquisition date forward. In order to provide the most meaningful comparison of results of operations, some of the comparisons presented are to pro forma(2) amounts.

Net sales for the third quarter of 2010 were $12.9 billion, up 7 percent from $12.0 billion reported in the third quarter of last year, with price up 8 percent and volume down 1 percent. The increase in price was largely due to higher feedstock and energy costs, and was most pronounced in the combined Basics segments, with Basic Plastics up 11 percent, Basic Chemicals up 20 percent and Hydrocarbons and Energy up 14 percent. Price increases were reported in all geographic areas, with double-digit increases in North America and Latin America. The decline in volume was due to recent divestitures, including the Salt business of Rohm and Haas Company divested on October 1, 2009; the Company’s ownership interest in Total Raffinaderij Nederland N.V. (“TRN”) divested on September 1, 2009; the acrylic monomer business and a portion of the specialty latex business divested on January 25, 2010; the Powder Coatings business divested on June 1, 2010; and the Styron business unit (“Styron”) divested on June 17, 2010. Excluding these divestitures, volume increased 14 percent compared with the third quarter of 2009, with volume improvement in all segments and geographic areas.

 

(2) The unaudited pro forma historical segment information is based on the historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of both Dow and Rohm and Haas and has been prepared to illustrate the effects of the Company’s acquisition of Rohm and Haas, assuming the acquisition of Rohm and Haas had been consummated on January 1, 2008, and the treatment of Dow’s Calcium Chloride business as discontinued operations due to the sale of the business on June 30, 2009.

 

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Reported net sales for the first nine months of 2010 were $39.9 billion, up 23 percent from $32.4 billion in the same period last year. Compared with the first nine months of 2009 on a pro forma basis, net sales for the first nine months of 2010 were up 17 percent from $34.2 billion in the same period last year, with increases in all operating segments and geographic areas. Compared with the first nine months of 2009 on a pro forma basis, price increased 15 percent and volume increased 2 percent. Excluding prior period divestitures, volume was up 12 percent, with increases in every segment except Basic Plastics (unchanged from year-to-date 2009) and every geographic area, reflecting improvement in global economic conditions. Double-digit price increases were reported in Performance Products and the Basics segments, and in all geographic areas. The price increases in the Basics segments were driven by higher purchased feedstock and energy costs compared with year-to-date 2009. For additional details regarding the change in net sales, see the Sales Volume and Price tables at the end of the section titled “Segment Results.”

Gross margin was $2,027 million for the third quarter of 2010, up from $1,660 million in the third quarter of last year. Gross margin increased primarily due to the impact of higher selling prices and improved operating rates, which more than offset a $585 million increase in purchased feedstock and energy costs. In the third quarter of 2010, gross margin was reduced by $50 million due to a labor-related litigation matter that was included in “Cost of Sales” and reflected in Corporate. Year to date, gross margin was $5,941 million, compared with $4,121 million in the first nine months of 2009. The improvement in year-to-date gross margin reflected higher selling prices and improved operating rates, which more than offset a $4.3 billion increase in purchased feedstock and energy costs, and increased sales of higher margin products. Gross margin in the second quarter of 2009 was reduced by a one-time increase in cost of sales of $209 million related to the fair value step-up of inventories acquired from Rohm and Haas on April 1, 2009, and sold in the second quarter of 2009. The increase was included in “Cost of sales” and reflected in the operating segments as follows: $75 million in Electronic and Specialty Materials, $82 million in Coatings and Infrastructure, $30 million in Performance Systems and $22 million in Performance Products.

The Company’s global plant operating rate was 86 percent in the third quarter of 2010, up from 78 percent in the third quarter of 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, Dow’s global plant operating rate was 83 percent, up from 74 percent in the same period of 2009, with both increased demand and actions taken by management to rationalize capacity through shutdowns and divestitures contributing to the improvement.

Personnel count was 49,191 at September 30, 2010, down from 52,195 at December 31, 2009 and 56,023 at September 30, 2009. Headcount decreased from year-end 2009 primarily due to recent divestitures, including Styron, the Powder Coatings business and a portion of the Company’s acrylic monomer and specialty latex businesses, as well as actions taken related to the integration of Rohm and Haas and previously announced restructuring plans.

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses totaled $403 million in the third quarter of 2010, up slightly from $400 million in the third quarter of last year, as the Company’s increased spending on strategic corporate growth initiatives and growth initiatives in the Health and Agricultural Sciences segment was partially offset by the elimination of R&D expenses related to the divestiture of Styron. For the first nine months of 2010, R&D expenses totaled $1,217 million, up $144 million (13 percent) from $1,073 million in the first nine months of 2009, reflecting increased expenses related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas and the Company’s growth initiatives, slightly offset by the reduction in expenses following the Styron divestiture.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses totaled $640 million in the third quarter of 2010, down $43 million (6 percent) from $683 million in the third quarter of last year, with cost savings initiatives and the second quarter of 2010 divestitures of Styron and the Powder Coatings business contributing to the decrease. For the first nine months of 2010, SG&A expenses totaled $1,950 million, up $161 million (9 percent) from $1,789 million in the first nine months of 2009, as increased expenses related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas and strategic growth initiatives in the Health and Agricultural Sciences segment more than offset the impact of cost saving initiatives and recent divestitures.

 

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Amortization of intangibles was $124 million in the third quarter of 2010, up from $108 million in the third quarter of last year. For the first nine months of 2010, amortization of intangibles was $377 million, compared with $242 million for the same period last year. The increase in amortization of intangibles reflected the amortization of the fair value of intangible assets (including post-closing measurement period adjustments) acquired from Rohm and Haas. See Notes D and G to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information concerning the acquisition of Rohm and Haas and intangible assets.

In June 2009, Dow’s Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan that incorporated actions related to the Company’s acquisition of Rohm and Haas as well as additional actions to advance the Company’s strategy and to respond to continued weakness in the global economy. The restructuring plan included the shutdown of a number of facilities and a global workforce reduction. As a result, the Company recorded pretax restructuring charges totaling $677 million in the second quarter of 2009, which included asset write-downs and write-offs, severance costs and costs associated with exit or disposal activities. The impact of the charges was shown as “Restructuring charges” in the consolidated statements of income and was reflected in the Company’s segment results as follows: $68 million in Electronic and Specialty Materials, $171 million in Coatings and Infrastructure, $73 million in Performance Products, $1 million in Basic Plastics, $75 million in Basic Chemicals, $65 million in Hydrocarbons and Energy and $224 million in Corporate. In the second quarter of 2009, the Company also recorded a $15 million reduction in the 2007 restructuring reserve, reflected in the Health and Agricultural Sciences segment. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company recorded pretax adjustments of $16 million to the 2009 restructuring charge for additional asset impairment costs, which were reflected in the Company’s segments as follows: $8 million in Electronic and Specialty Materials, $5 million in Coatings and Infrastructure and $3 million in Performance Products. In the second quarter of 2010, the Company recorded pretax adjustments of $13 million to the 2009 restructuring charge for additional exit or disposal activities, which were reflected in Performance Products ($12 million) and Corporate ($1 million).

In December 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan as part of a series of actions to advance the Company’s strategy and respond to the severe economic downturn. The restructuring plan includes the shutdown of a number of facilities and a global workforce reduction, which are targeted for completion by the end of 2010. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a pretax adjustment of $19 million to the 2008 restructuring charge for additional severance, which was reflected in Corporate. See Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the restructuring charges.

In the third quarter of 2010, pretax charges totaling $35 million ($98 million for the first nine months of 2010) were recorded for integration costs related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas. In the third quarter of 2009, pretax charges totaling $21 million ($121 million for the first nine months of 2009) were recorded for legal expenses and other transaction costs related to the acquisition. These charges were reflected in Corporate. An additional $26 million of acquisition-related retention expenses were incurred during the third quarter of 2009, for a total of $60 million for the first nine months of 2009. These costs were recorded in “Cost of sales,” “Research and development expenses,” and “Selling, general and administrative expenses” and reflected in Corporate.

Dow’s share of the earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates was $251 million in the third quarter of 2010, up from $224 million in the third quarter of last year. Compared with the same quarter of last year, increased earnings at Dow Corning Corporation (“Dow Corning”), EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C. (“EQUATE”), MEGlobal, The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C. and The Kuwait Styrene Company K.S.C. more than offset the decline in earnings resulting from the September 2009 divestitures of the Company’s ownership interests in TRN and the OPTIMAL Group of Companies (“OPTIMAL”), and the June 2010 divestiture of the Company’s ownership interest in Americas Styrenics LLC. See Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information concerning the Company’s recent divestitures. For the first nine months of 2010, Dow’s share of the earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates was $799 million, up significantly from $411 million for the same period last year, with the same joint ventures driving the increase in earnings. Equity earnings in the first nine months of 2009 were negatively impacted by $29 million for the Company’s share of a restructuring charge recognized by Dow Corning.

 

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Sundry income (expense) – net includes a variety of income and expense items such as the gain or loss on foreign currency exchange, dividends from investments, and gains and losses on sales of investments and assets. Sundry income (expense) – net for the third quarter of 2010 was net expense of $10 million, compared with net income of $813 million in the same quarter of 2009. Sundry income (expense) – net was reduced by losses of $46 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $56 million in the third quarter of 2009 related to the early extinguishment of debt. In the third quarter of 2010, a net $2 million increase in the second quarter net gain of $51 million on the divestiture of Styron was recognized; the $2 million increase included a net gain on the sale of two small, related joint ventures, working capital adjustments and additional costs to sell. Sundry income (expense) – net in the third quarter of 2009 included a pretax gain of $513 million on the sale of the Company’s ownership interest in TRN and related inventory, and a pretax gain of $328 million on the sale of the Company’s ownership interest in OPTIMAL. Year to date, sundry income (expense) – net was income of $168 million, reflecting gains on several small divestitures in 2010 as well as the gain on Styron. This compared with income of $833 million in the first nine months of 2009.

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced that it had signed a definitive agreement for the sale of Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners. On June 17, 2010, the sale was completed for $1,561 million, net of working capital adjustments and costs to sell, with proceeds subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Businesses and products sold included: Styrenics – polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile and expandable polystyrene; Emulsion Polymers; Polycarbonate and Compounds and Blends; Synthetic Rubber; and certain products from Dow Automotive Systems. Also included in the sale were certain styrene monomer assets and the Company’s 50 percent ownership interest in Americas Styrenics LLC, a principal nonconsolidated affiliate. The transaction resulted in several long-term supply, service and purchase agreements between Dow and Styron. In addition, the Company elected to acquire a 7.5 percent equity interest in the resulting privately held, global materials company. The Company recognized a pretax gain of $51 million on the sale in the second quarter of 2010, included in “Sundry income (expense) – net” and reflected in the following operating segments: Performance Systems ($15 million), Performance Products ($26 million) and Basic Plastics ($10 million). The transaction resulted in an after-tax loss of $16 million, primarily because goodwill related to the divestiture was not tax deductible. In the third quarter of 2010, a net $2 million increase in the gain on the divestiture of Styron was recognized, impacting the Basic Plastics segment, and resulting in an additional $23 million after-tax loss. See Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Net interest expense (interest expense less capitalized interest and interest income) was $355 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared with $482 million in the third quarter of last year. Net interest expense for the third quarter of 2009 reflected costs of the initial financing for the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas. Year to date, net interest expense was $1,081 million, compared with $1,140 million in the first nine months of 2009. The decrease in year-to-date interest expense reflected the Company’s repayment and refinancing of outstanding indebtedness compared with the same period last year. Interest income was $7 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared with $6 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $24 million for the first nine months of 2010, down from $27 million in the first nine months of 2009.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2010 was 16.0 percent compared with 20.3 percent for the third quarter of 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, the effective tax rate was 16.1 percent, compared with a tax benefit of 21.6 percent for the first nine months of 2009. The Company’s effective tax rate fluctuates based on, among other factors, where income is earned and the level of income relative to available tax credits. The third quarter of 2010 tax rate was favorably impacted by strong equity earnings and improved results in Europe. Year to date, the tax rate for 2010 was also favorably impacted by audit settlements and the closure of tax years. The year-to-date tax rate in 2009 was favorably impacted by higher equity earnings relative to the Company’s total income before income taxes and accrual-to-return adjustments in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed on March 23, 2010 eliminated the tax deduction related to the Medicare Part D subsidy. The impact of this legislation was immaterial to the Company.

On June 30, 2009, the Company sold the Calcium Chloride business and recognized a $162 million pretax gain. The results of operations related to the Calcium Chloride business prior to the divestiture were reclassified and reported as income from discontinued operations. Discontinued operations (net of income tax benefit) for the third quarter of 2009 was a loss of $4 million ($0.01 per share) related to post-closing adjustments. Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) for the first nine months of 2009 was $110 million ($0.11 per share).

 

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Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests was zero in the third quarter of 2010, compared with a loss of $1 million in the third quarter of 2009. Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests was income of $9 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared with income of $22 million in the first nine months of 2009. Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the first nine months of 2009 included income attributable to Tornado Finance V.O.F. preferred partnership units, which were redeemed in July 2009.

Preferred stock dividends of $85 million were recognized in the third quarter of 2010 ($255 million for the first nine months of 2010) related to the Company’s Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, which was issued on April 1, 2009. Preferred stock dividends of $85 million were recognized in the third quarter of 2009. For the first nine months of 2009, preferred stock dividends of $227 million were recognized, including $170 million related to Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A. The remaining $57 million of dividends related to Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B and Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, both of which were retired in the second quarter of 2009.

Net income available for common stockholders was $512 million or $0.45 per share for the third quarter of 2010, compared with $711 million or $0.63 per share for the third quarter of 2009. Net income available for common stockholders for the first nine months of 2010 was $1,544 million or $1.35 per share, compared with $249 million or $0.24 per share for the same period of 2009.

 

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The following tables summarize the impact of certain items recorded in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, and previously described in this section:

 

                                                                                         

  Certain Items Impacting Results

      

 

Pretax

Impact (1)

  

  

           

 

Impact on

Net Income (2)

  

  

           

 

Impact on

EPS (3)

  

  

       Three Months Ended                Three Months Ended                Three Months Ended    

  In millions, except per share amounts

      
 
Sept. 30, 
2010 
  
  
      
 
Sept. 30, 
2009 
  
  
                 
 
Sept. 30, 
2010 
  
  
      
 
Sept. 30, 
2009 
  
  
                 
 
Sept. 30, 
2010 
  
  
      
 
Sept. 30, 
2009 
  
  

  Transaction, integration and other acquisition costs

       $(35)           $(47)                $(23)            $(34)                $(0.02)            $(0.03)   

  Gain (Loss) on divestiture of Styron

                 -                  (23)            -                  (0.02)            -     

  Labor-related litigation matter

       (50)           -                  (33)            -                  (0.03)            -     

  Gain on sale of TRN

       -             457                 -              321                 -              0.29    

  Gain on sale of OPTIMAL

       -             328                 -              191                 -              0.17    

  Loss on early extinguishment of debt

       (46)           (56)                      (29)            (36)                      (0.02)            (0.03)   

  Total Dow

       $(129)           $682                       $(108)            $442                       $(0.09)            $0.40    

    

                                                                                       

  Certain Items Impacting Results

      

 

Pretax

Impact (1)

  

  

           

 

Impact on

Net Income (2)

  

  

           

 

Impact on

EPS (3)

  

  

       Nine Months Ended                Nine Months Ended                Nine Months Ended   

  In millions, except per share amounts

      
 
Sept. 30, 
2010 
  
  
      
 
Sept. 30, 
2009 
  
  
                 
 
Sept. 30, 
2010 
  
  
      
 
Sept. 30, 
2009 
  
  
                 
 
Sept. 30, 
2010 
  
  
      
 
Sept. 30, 
2009 
  
  

  One-time increase in cost of sales related to fair valuation of Rohm and Haas inventories

       -             $(209)                -              $(132)                -              $(0.13)   

  Restructuring charges

       $(29)           (681)                $(16)            (462)                $(0.02)            (0.45)   

  Transaction, integration and other acquisition costs

       (98)           (181)                (64)            (136)                (0.05)            (0.13)   

  Dow Corning restructuring

       -             (29)                -              (27)                -              (0.03)   

  Gain (Loss) on divestiture of Styron

       53            -                  (39)            -                  (0.03)            -     

  Labor-related litigation matter

       (50)           -                  (33)            -                  (0.03)            -     

  Gain on sale of TRN

       -             457                 -              321                 -              0.29    

  Gain on sale of OPTIMAL

       -             328                 -              191                 -              0.17    

  Loss on early extinguishment of debt

       (46)           (56)                      (29)            (36)                      (0.02)            (0.03)   

Total

       $(170)           $(371)                      $(181)            $(281)                      $(0.15)            $(0.31)   
(1) Impact on “Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes”
(2) Impact on “Net Income from Continuing Operations”
(3) Impact on “Net income from continuing operations available for common stockholders – Earnings per common share – diluted”

 

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SEGMENT RESULTS

The reported results by operating segment, including sales, EBITDA (which Dow defines as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates, can be found in Note Q to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company uses EBITDA as its measure of profit/loss for segment reporting purposes. EBITDA by operating segment includes all operating items relating to the businesses, except depreciation and amortization; items that principally apply to the Company as a whole are assigned to Corporate. Note Q to the Consolidated Financial Statements also includes a reconciliation of EBITDA to “Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes.”

In order to provide the most meaningful comparison of results by reportable segment, the following discussion and analysis compares year-to-date actual results for 2010 to actual results for the second and third quarters of 2009 plus pro forma historical results for the first quarter of 2009. The unaudited pro forma historical segment information is based on the historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of both Dow and Rohm and Haas and was prepared to illustrate the effects of the Company’s acquisition of Rohm and Haas, assuming the acquisition of Rohm and Haas had been consummated on January 1, 2008.

The unaudited pro forma historical segment information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have actually occurred had the acquisition been completed as of the date indicated, nor is it indicative of the future operating results of the combined company. The unaudited pro forma historical segment information does not reflect future events that may occur after the acquisition of Rohm and Haas, including the potential realization of operating cost savings (synergies) or restructuring activities or other costs related to the planned integration of Rohm and Haas, and does not consider potential impacts of current market conditions on revenues, expense efficiencies or asset dispositions (with the exception of the sale of Dow’s Calcium Chloride business).

The following table, which summarizes the pretax impact of certain items recorded by Rohm and Haas prior to the acquisition, is provided for pro forma comparison purposes.

 

  Certain Items Impacting Rohm and Haas

  Results Prior to the Acquisition

  In millions

    

 
 

Three months  

ended  
March 31, 2009  

 

  
  

  Impact of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

     $  (2)       

  Restructuring charges

     (2)       

  Transaction and other acquisition costs

     (80)       

  Total Rohm and Haas Certain Items

     $(84)       

 

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ELECTRONIC AND SPECIALTY MATERIALS

The Electronic and Specialty Materials segment consists of two businesses – Dow Electronic Materials and Specialty Materials – and includes the Company’s share of the results of Dow Corning Corporation, a joint venture of the Company. Dow Electronic Materials is a leading global supplier of materials for chemical mechanical planarization; materials used in the production of electronic displays; products and technologies that drive leading edge semiconductor design; materials used in the fabrication of printed circuit boards; and integrated metallization processes critical for interconnection, corrosion resistance, metal finishing and decorative applications. These materials are found in applications such as consumer electronics, flat panel displays and telecommunications. Specialty Materials is a portfolio of five global businesses – Dow Water and Process Solutions; Dow Home and Personal Care; Dow Microbial Control; Dow Wolff Cellulosics; and Performance Materials – characterized by a vast global footprint, a broad array of unique chemistries, multi-functional ingredients and technology capabilities, combined with key positions in the pharmaceuticals, food, home and personal care, water and energy production, and industrial specialty industries.

 

  Electronic and Specialty Materials

         Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended   

  Actual Results

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,  

2009   

  

  

  Sales

     $1,402         $1,256         $4,054         $2,896      

  EBITDA

     $426         $407         $1,260         $644      

 

  Electronic and Specialty Materials

       Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended   

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Pro Forma

  In millions

    
 
Sept. 30,  
2010  
  
  
    
 
Sept. 30,  
2009  
  
  
    

 

Sept. 30,  

2010  

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,  

2009   

  

  

  Sales

     $1,402             $1,256           $4,054             $3,391      

Price change from comparative period

     (1)%         N/A           (1)%         N/A      

Volume change from comparative period

     13%          N/A           21%          N/A      

  Equity earnings

     $98             $94           $323             $157      

  EBITDA

     $426             $407           $1,260             $658      

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

     -             -            $(8)            $(172)     

Electronic and Specialty Materials sales were $1,402 million in the third quarter of 2010, up 12 percent from $1,256 million in the third quarter of 2009. Volume was strong across all geographic areas and in most businesses, reflecting global economic recovery and increased customer demand, especially in the electronics industry. EBITDA in the third quarter of 2010 was $426 million, up from $407 million in the third quarter of 2009. EBITDA improved from last year as higher volume and higher equity earnings from Dow Corning more than offset higher raw materials and manufacturing costs.

Dow Electronic Materials sales in the third quarter of 2010 were up 22 percent from the same quarter last year, driven by higher volume, especially in the emerging geographies, primarily due to strong demand recovery across electronics end-markets. Semiconductor foundry utilization rates improved compared with the same quarter of last year and were running in excess of 90 percent by the end of the third quarter of 2010. Dow Electronic Materials also reported increased demand for materials for organic light emitting diodes and liquid crystal displays and film materials that replace glass used in plasma display panels.

Specialty Materials sales in the third quarter of 2010 were up 6 percent from the third quarter of 2009, as prices decreased 2 percent, due to currency, and volume improved 8 percent. Volume increased in all geographic areas and in most businesses, especially Dow Water and Process Solutions, driven by higher demand for ion exchange resins and reverse osmosis membranes. Demand for specialty cellulosics used in food and nutrition and in industrial construction also improved significantly compared with same quarter last year.

 

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Electronic and Specialty Materials sales were $4,054 million for the first nine months of 2010, up 20 percent from $3,391 million in the first nine months of 2009. Compared with the first nine months of 2009, volume increased 21 percent and price dropped 1 percent. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 was $1,260 million, a significant increase from $658 million for the first nine months of 2009. Higher volume, higher equity earnings from Dow Corning, and lower SG&A expenses driven by the Company’s cost control programs all contributed to the EBITDA improvement. Results in the first nine months of 2010 were negatively impacted by an $8 million adjustment to the 2009 restructuring charge related to the closure of a small manufacturing facility. Results in the first nine months of 2009 were negatively impacted by restructuring charges ($68 million), an increase in cost of sales related to the fair valuation of Rohm and Haas inventories ($75 million), and the Company’s $29 million share of a restructuring charge recognized by Dow Corning.

COATINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The Coatings and Infrastructure segment consists of the following businesses: Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers; Dow Building and Construction; and Dow Coating Materials. These businesses produce a wide variety of products with a broad range of applications – sticking and bonding solutions, construction materials (insulation and vinyl applications) and raw materials for architectural paints and industrial coatings.

 

  Coatings and Infrastructure      Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended         

  Actual Results

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,

2009  

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,  

2009    

  

  

  Sales

     $1,321         $1,330          $3,868         $2,978      

  EBITDA

     $225         $213          $548         $259      
                                   
  Coatings and Infrastructure      Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended         

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Pro Forma

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,

2009  

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,  

2009    

  

  

  Sales

     $1,321         $1,330          $3,868         $3,610      

Price change from comparative period

         N/A              N/A      

Volume change from comparative period

     (10)     N/A          (1)     N/A      

  Equity earnings

     -          $1          $2         $3      

  EBITDA

     $225         $213          $548         $359      

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

     -          -           $(5)        $(254)     

Coatings and Infrastructure sales were $1,321 million in the third quarter of 2010, down slightly from $1,330 million in the third quarter of 2009. Compared with the third quarter of 2009, price increased 9 percent while volume declined 10 percent. Price improved across all geographic areas and most businesses, especially in Dow Coating Materials, driven by higher raw material costs. Volume was down due to the Company’s divestiture of certain specialty latex assets in January 2010, as required by the United States Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) to obtain approval of the Rohm and Haas acquisition, and the June 1, 2010 divestiture of the Powder Coatings business, acquired as part of the acquisition of Rohm and Haas. Excluding these divestitures, volume increased 1 percent for the segment. Dow Coating Materials sales, excluding divestitures, increased due to price, with volume flat. In Dow Building and Construction, sales were higher despite a significant drop in new home sales in the United States and lower construction activity in Europe.

EBITDA in the third quarter of 2010 was $225 million, up from $213 million in the third quarter of 2009. Compared with the third quarter of 2009, price increases, improved operating rates and lower SG&A expenses more than offset lower sales volume, additional R&D investment in solar technologies and higher raw materials costs. The increase in raw materials costs was partially due to purchases of polystyrene at market prices by the Building and Construction business. Following the sale of the Company’s polystyrene assets on June 17, 2010 as part of the Styron divestiture, polystyrene is no longer purchased at cost.

 

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Coatings and Infrastructure sales were $3,868 million for the first nine months of 2010, up 7 percent from $3,610 million in the first nine months of 2009. Compared with the first nine months of 2009, price was up 8 percent, while volume declined 1 percent. The increase in price was broad-based, primarily driven by higher raw material costs. Excluding the FTC required divestiture of specialty latex assets and the divestiture of the Powder Coatings business, volume increased 7 percent. The increase in volume was driven by higher demand for adhesives used in packaging and leather applications, which more than offset lower demand for architectural coatings.

EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 was $548 million, compared with $359 million in the first nine months of 2009. Year-to-date results for 2010 were negatively impacted by $5 million in restructuring charges related to the FTC required divestiture of specialty latex assets. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2009 was reduced by $172 million of restructuring charges primarily related to the Company’s actions to optimize facilities following the acquisition of Rohm and Haas and was further reduced by an increase in cost of sales of $82 million related to the fair valuation of Rohm and Haas inventories. Compared with the first nine months of 2009, the benefit of higher prices, improved operating rates and lower SG&A expenses was more than offset by significantly higher raw material costs.

HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Dow AgroSciences is a global leader in providing agricultural and plant biotechnology products, pest management solutions and healthy oils. The business invents, develops, manufactures and markets products for use in agriculture, industrial and commercial pest management, and food service.

 

  Health and Agricultural Sciences      Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended         

  Actual Results

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,

2009  

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,  

2009    

  

  

  Sales

     $948         $796          $3,593         $3,446      

  EBITDA

     $(12)        $5          $568         $504      
                                   
  Health and Agricultural Sciences      Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended         

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Pro Forma

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,

2009  

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,  

2009    

  

  

  Sales

     $948         $796          $3,593         $3,461     

Price change from comparative period

     (7)     N/A          (4)     N/A     

Volume change from comparative period

     26      N/A              N/A     

  Equity earnings

     $2         $2          $3         $3     

  EBITDA

     $(12)        $5          $568         $508     

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

                           $15     

Health and Agricultural Sciences sales were $948 million in the third quarter of 2010, up 19 percent from $796 million in the third quarter of 2009. Compared with the third quarter of 2009, sales volume increased 26 percent while price declined 7 percent. Sales volume growth was driven by a strong start to the growing season in Latin America, 50 percent volume growth in Seeds, Traits and Oils, and increased herbicide sales in North America. The third quarter of 2010 price decline compared with the same period last year was driven by continued generic competition on commodity agricultural chemicals. EBITDA for the third quarter of 2010 was a loss of $12 million, down from earnings of $5 million in the third quarter of 2009. Despite an improvement in volume, EBITDA declined primarily due to price declines and increased investment in R&D.

For the first nine months of 2010, sales for Health and Agricultural Sciences were $3,593 million, up 4 percent from $3,461 million in 2009, as sales volume increased 8 percent and price declined 4 percent. For 2010, EBITDA for the segment was $568 million, up from $508 million in the first nine months of 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, increased sales volume, new product growth and continued cost improvements across the portfolio more than offset lower pricing on commodity agricultural chemicals and increased investment in R&D. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2009 was favorably impacted by a $15 million reduction in the 2007 restructuring charge.

 

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PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS

The Performance Systems segment consists of the following businesses: Dow Automotive Systems; Dow Elastomers; Dow Wire and Cable; Dow Formulated Systems; Dow Oil and Gas; and Dow Fiber Solutions. These businesses produce a wide variety of products with a broad range of applications – automotive interiors and exteriors, footwear, mattresses, specialty films, wind turbines, transportation, waterproofing membranes and electrical and telecommunication applications.

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced that it had signed a definitive agreement for the sale of Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners; the transaction closed on June 17, 2010. Businesses and products sold included Synthetic Rubber and certain products from Dow Automotive Systems, which were reported in the Performance Systems segment through the date of the divestiture. See Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on this divestiture.

 

  Performance Systems      Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended         

  Actual Results

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,   

2010     

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2009  

 

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

 

  

   

 

Sept. 30,  

2009    

 

  

  Sales

     $1,578             $1,538         $5,027        $4,167      

  EBITDA

     $225             $207         $652        $521      
                                    
  Performance Systems      Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended         

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Pro Forma

  In millions

    

 

Sept. 30,   

2010     

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2009  

  

  

    

 

Sept. 30,

2010  

  

  

   

 

Sept. 30,  

2009    

  

  

  Sales

     $1,578             $1,538         $5,027        $4,277      

Price change from comparative period

     3%         N/A         5     N/A      

Volume change from comparative period

     -             N/A         13     N/A      

  Equity earnings

     $(2)            $3         -        $6      

  EBITDA

     $225             $207         $652        $522      

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

     -             $1         $15        $(29)     

Performance Systems sales were $1,578 million in the third quarter of 2010, up 3 percent from $1,538 million in the third quarter of 2009. Price increases were reported in all geographic areas except EMEA where prices remained flat as currency offset the increase in local prices. Volume increased for Dow Formulated Systems and Dow Wire and Cable as Dow Formulated Systems experienced growth in energy efficiency and alternative energy applications, while Dow Wire and Cable experienced growth in power and telecom applications. Offsetting these increases, volume for Dow Elastomers and Dow Automotive Systems was down due to the divestiture of Synthetic Rubber and certain products from Dow Automotive Systems in the second quarter of 2010. Excluding divestitures, volume for the segment improved 12 percent.

EBITDA for Performance Systems in the third quarter of 2010 was $225 million, up from $207 million in the third quarter of 2009. Compared with the third quarter of last year, EBITDA improved across the Performance Systems businesses, with the exception of Dow Automotive Systems and Dow Wire and Cable, as the impact of higher feedstock and energy and other raw material costs was more than offset by improved volume mix and price increases. EBITDA for the third quarter of 2009 was favorably impacted $1 million from the sale of the Company’s ownership interest in OPTIMAL.

For the first nine months of 2010, Performance Systems sales were $5,027 million, up 18 percent from $4,277 million in the first nine months of 2009. Volume increased 13 percent with growth reported in most businesses, with exceptional strength in Dow Automotive Systems and Dow Formulated Systems, as the automotive and alternative energy industries rebounded from the global economic slowdown. Double-digit volume growth was reported in most geographic areas, with particular strength in Latin America, as the demand for alternative energy formulations, wire and cable applications, packaging materials and automotive plastics increased. Compared with the first nine months of 2009, price rose in all businesses, except Dow Formulated Systems, with Dow Elastomers reporting the most significant increase due to tight supply/demand balances.

 

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EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 was $652 million, compared with $522 million in the first nine months of 2009. EBITDA in 2010 included a $15 million gain on the sale of Styron on June 17, 2010. EBITDA in 2009 was reduced $30 million by an increase in cost of sales related to the Rohm and Haas inventory fair valuation and favorably impacted $1 million from the sale of the Company’s ownership interest in OPTIMAL. Compared with the first nine months of last year, EBITDA improved as volume growth, higher prices and improved operating rates more than offset higher feedstock and energy and raw material costs.

PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS

The Performance Products segment consists of the following businesses: Amines; Emulsion Polymers; Epoxy; Oxygenated Solvents; Polyglycols, Surfactants and Fluids; Performance Monomers; Polyurethanes; Dow Haltermann; and SAFECHEM. These businesses produce a wide variety of products with a broad range of applications – adhesives and deicing fluids, solvent products, paper and paperboard applications, carpet backing and home furnishings. The segment also includes a portion of the results of the OPTIMAL Group of Companies (through the September 30, 2009 divestiture of this group of joint ventures) and the SCG-Dow Group of joint ventures.

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners; the transaction closed on June 17, 2010. Businesses and products sold included Emulsion Polymers (styrene-butadiene latex), which was reported in the Performance Products segment through the date of the divestiture. See Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on this divestiture.

 

  Performance Products

         Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended   

  Actual Results

  In millions

      

 

Sept. 30,   

2010    

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,   

2010   

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

  Sales

       $2,630               $2,420           $8,187              $6,392   

  EBITDA

       $429               $438           $1,047              $840   
                   

  Performance Products

         Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended   

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Pro Forma

  In millions

      

 

Sept. 30,    

2010    

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,   

2010   

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

  Sales

       $2,630               $2,420           $8,187              $6,519   

Price change from comparative period

       13%            N/A           18%           N/A   

Volume change from comparative period

       (4)%           N/A           8%           N/A   

  Equity earnings

       $(7)              $19           $2              $27   

  EBITDA

       $429               $438           $1,047              $797   

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

       -               $140           $11              $45   

Performance Products sales were $2,630 million in the third quarter of 2010, up 9 percent from $2,420 million in the third quarter of 2009. The price increase of 13 percent – driven by increased feedstock and energy and other raw materials costs – was broad-based, with double-digit increases in most businesses and in all geographic areas, resulting in expanded margins for the segment. Volume was down 4 percent, reflecting the sale of the Company’s Emulsion Polymers assets (as part of the Styron divestiture completed on June 17, 2010) and a volume decrease in the Performance Monomers business. Excluding the Emulsion Polymers divestiture, volume was up 10 percent compared with the third quarter of last year. However, a portion of the increase was due to new product supply agreements with Styron for phenol used in polycarbonate-based applications, which boosted sales within the Epoxy business. Sales for the Epoxy business also increased due to improved demand for resins used in the growing wind energy industry in China. Oxygenated Solvents also reported a significant increase in sales, driven by strong volume in emerging geographies, particularly in the Asia Pacific consumer electronics industry, and increased demand globally for products used in health and nutrition. Volume for Polyurethanes increased slightly compared with the third quarter of 2009, as improvement in EMEA, North America and Latin America was largely offset by a decline in volume in Asia Pacific where the business made the decision to forgo low-margin sales.

 

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EBITDA in the third quarter 2010 was $429 million, down from $438 million in the third quarter of 2009, which included a $140 million gain on the sale of the Company’s ownership in OPTIMAL. Compared with the third quarter of last year, price increases and volume growth (excluding the Emulsion Polymers divestiture), along with improved operating rates and lower R&D expenses more than offset the increase in feedstock and energy and other raw materials costs and lower equity earnings.

Performance Products sales were $8,187 million for the first nine months of 2010, up 26 percent from $6,519 million in 2009. Compared with the first nine months of 2009, price increased 18 percent with double-digit price increases in Performance Monomers, Epoxy, Oxygenated Solvents and Polyurethanes. Volume improved 8 percent with double-digit volume increases across most major businesses, which more than offset sales lost due to the Emulsion Polymers divestiture.

EBITDA was $1,047 million for the first nine months of 2010, compared with $797 million for the first nine months of 2009. EBITDA in the first nine months of 2010 included a $26 million gain on the sale of Styron, partially offset by adjustments of $15 million to the 2009 restructuring charges. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2009 was impacted by $73 million in restructuring charges, a $22 million increase in cost of sales related to the fair valuation of Rohm and Haas inventories, and the $140 million gain on the sale of OPTIMAL. Compared with the first nine months of 2009, although price increases have not kept pace with the rise in feedstock and energy and other raw materials costs, EBITDA improved due to volume growth, improved operating rates and lower R&D and SG&A expenses.

BASIC PLASTICS

The Basic Plastics segment includes the following businesses: Polyethylene; Polypropylene; Styrenics; Basic Plastics Licensing and Catalyst; and Polycarbonate and Compounds and Blends. These world-leading businesses provide a broad range of products and solutions by leveraging Dow’s leading manufacturing and application technology, research and product development expertise, extensive market knowledge and strong customer relationships. Product applications range from beverage bottles, disposable diaper liners and toys to plastic pipe, oil tanks and road equipment. The Basic Plastics segment also includes the results of Equipolymers, Americas Styrenics LLC (through the June 17, 2010 divestiture of Styron) and Univation Technologies, LLC, and a portion of the results of EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C., The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C. and the SCG-Dow Group, all joint ventures of the Company.

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners; the transaction closed on June 17, 2010. Businesses and products sold included Styrenics (polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile and expandable polystyrene), Polycarbonate and Compounds and Blends, as well as the Company’s 50 percent ownership interest in Americas Styrenics LLC, a principal nonconsolidated affiliate; all of which were reported in the Basic Plastics segment through the date of the divestiture. See Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on this divestiture.

For the Basic Plastics segment, there was no difference between actual and pro forma sales and EBITDA for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009.

 

  Basic Plastics

         Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended   

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Actual

  In millions

      

 

Sept. 30,   

2010    

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,   

2010    

  

  

      

 

Sept. 30,

2009

  

  

  Sales

       $2,618                $2,636            $8,633                $7,036    

Price change from comparative period

       11%            N/A            29%            N/A    

Volume change from comparative period

       (12)%           N/A            (6)%           N/A    

  Equity earnings

       $63                $55            $187                $113    

  EBITDA

       $731                $590            $2,145                $1,117    

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

       $2                          $12                $(1)   

 

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Basic Plastics sales in the third quarter of 2010 were $2,618 million, down 1 percent from $2,636 million in the third quarter of 2009. The momentum of the global economic recovery continued into the third quarter of 2010. Feedstock and energy costs were higher than those of the third quarter of 2009, and as a result, Basic Plastics was able to achieve double-digit price increases compared with the third quarter of 2009 in all geographic areas except Asia Pacific. The decline in volume for the segment reflected the divestiture of the Styrenics and Polycarbonate and Compounds and Blends businesses as part of the June 17, 2010 divestiture of Styron. Excluding the impact of the Styron divestiture, sales volume improved 5 percent, increasing significantly in North America and more modestly in Asia Pacific. Volume was flat in Latin America and down slightly in EMEA. Polypropylene demand was particularly strong in the consumer durables, food packaging, automotive and fiber sectors, while polyethylene demand improved in the consumer and specialty packaging sectors. Polyethylene production in Latin America increased compared with the second quarter of 2010, as the ethylene availability for the Company’s Bahia Blanca facility in Argentina returned to normal levels.

EBITDA in the third quarter of 2010 was $731 million, up from $590 million in the third quarter of 2009. While feedstock and energy, raw materials and freight costs were higher compared with the third quarter of 2009, the increases were more than offset by higher prices and improved equity earnings from the Company’s joint ventures in Kuwait. EBITDA for the third quarter of 2010 included a net $2 million increase in the gain on the divestiture of Styron, reflecting a net gain on the sale of two small, related joint ventures, various working capital adjustments and additional costs to sell.

Basic Plastics sales for the first nine months of 2010 were $8,633 million, up 23 percent from $7,036 million in the first nine months of 2009. Compared with the first nine months of 2009, prices were up 29 percent while volume declined 6 percent. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 was $2,145 million, up from $1,117 million in the first nine months of 2009. EBITDA improved as the increase in prices and improved equity earnings from the Company’s joint ventures in Kuwait more than offset the unfavorable impact of higher feedstock and energy, raw materials and freight costs. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 included a $12 million net gain on the divestiture of Styron. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2009 included $1 million of restructuring charges.

BASIC CHEMICALS

The Basic Chemicals segment includes the following businesses: Chlor-Alkali/Chlor-Vinyl; Ethylene Oxide/Ethylene Glycol; and Chlorinated Organics. The Chlor-Alkali/Chlor-Vinyl business focuses on the production of chlorine for consumption by downstream Dow derivatives, as well as production, marketing and supply of ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer and caustic soda. These products are used for applications such as alumina production, pulp and paper manufacturing, soaps and detergents, and building and construction. The Ethylene Oxide/Ethylene Glycol business is the world’s largest producer of purified ethylene oxide, principally used in Dow’s downstream performance derivatives. Dow is also a key supplier of ethylene glycol to MEGlobal, a 50:50 joint venture. Ethylene glycol is used in polyester fiber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for food and beverage container applications, polyester film, and aircraft and runway deicers. Also included in the Basic Chemicals segment are the results of MEGlobal and a portion of the results of EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C., The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C. and the OPTIMAL Group of Companies (through the September 30, 2009 divestiture of this group of companies), all joint ventures of the Company.

For the Basic Chemicals segment, there was no difference between actual and pro forma sales and EBITDA for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009.

 

  Basic Chemicals    Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended  

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Actual

  In millions

  

Sept. 30, 

2010  

    

Sept. 30,

2009 

    

Sept. 30,  

2010   

    

Sept. 30,  

2009   

 

  Sales

     $757             $568          $2,203             $1,739     

Price change from comparative period

     20%          N/A          19%          N/A     

Volume change from comparative period

     13%          N/A          8%          N/A     

  Equity earnings

     $92             $45          $244             $94     

  EBITDA

     $181             $195          $401             $83     

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

     -             $187          -             $112     

 

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Basic Chemicals sales were $757 million in the third quarter of 2010, up 33 percent from $568 million in the third quarter of 2009. Compared with the third quarter of last year, price was up, with increases reported across all businesses. Volume also improved for the segment, but varied by business. Sales for the Chlor-Alkali/Chlor-Vinyl business increased 48 percent over the third quarter of 2009, driven by a 24 percent increase in price and 24 percent increase in volume. Caustic soda volume and price improved due to increased demand in the alumina and pulp and paper industries. Vinyl chloride monomer (“VCM”) prices increased in response to higher ethylene costs and strong U.S. polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) export demand. VCM volume in the third quarter of 2009 was impacted by planned maintenance turnarounds at the Company’s production facility in Schkopau, Germany. Sales for the Ethylene Oxide/Ethylene Glycol (“EO/EG”) business were down compared with the third quarter of 2009, as a 12 percent decrease in volume more than offset a 9 percent increase in price. EO/EG volume in EMEA was negatively impacted by the closure of the Company’s Wilton, England facility in January 2010. Sales for the Chlorinated Organics business improved due to improved pricing in refrigerants, flouropolymers and solvent applications.

EBITDA in the third quarter of 2010 was $181 million, down from $195 million in third quarter of 2009, which included a $187 million gain on the sale of the Company’s ownership interest in OPTIMAL. EBITDA improved significantly due to higher prices, improved operating rates and higher equity earnings from EQUATE, MEGlobal and The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C.

For the first nine months of 2010, sales for Basic Chemicals were $2,203 million, up 27 percent from $1,739 million in the same period last year with a 19 percent increase in price and an 8 percent increase in volume. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 was $401 million, compared with $83 million in the same period last year. EBITDA improved significantly as higher prices, improved operating rates and higher equity earnings from EQUATE, MEGlobal and The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C. more than offset an increase in feedstock and energy costs. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2009 included a $187 million gain on the sale of OPTIMAL and was reduced by $75 million of restructuring costs.

On July 1, 2010, Dow announced it will form a 50:50 manufacturing joint venture with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to construct, own and operate a new membrane chlor-alkali facility located at Dow’s Freeport, Texas, integrated manufacturing complex. Construction is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, and operations are expected to begin in mid-2013. The new facility will have an annual capacity of approximately 800 kilotons. Under contract to the joint venture, Dow will operate and maintain the facility. As such, the joint venture is anticipated to be consolidated in Dow’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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HYDROCARBONS AND ENERGY

The Hydrocarbons and Energy business encompasses the procurement of fuels, natural gas liquids and crude oil-based raw materials, as well as the supply of monomers, power and steam principally for use in Dow’s global operations. The business regularly sells its by-products and buys and sells its products to balance regional production capabilities and derivative requirements. The business also sells products to certain Dow joint ventures. The Hydrocarbons and Energy segment also includes the results of Compañía Mega S.A. and a portion of the results of The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C. and the SCG-Dow Group, joint ventures of the Company.

On March 2, 2010, Dow announced the entry into a definitive agreement to sell Styron to an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners; the transaction closed on June 17, 2010. Businesses and products sold included certain styrene monomer assets, which were reported in the Hydrocarbons and Energy segment through the date of the divestiture. See Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on this divestiture.

For the Hydrocarbons and Energy segment, there was no difference between actual and pro forma sales and EBITDA for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009.

 

  Hydrocarbons and Energy      Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended  

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Actual

  In millions

    

Sept. 30, 

2010  

      

Sept. 30,

2009 

      

Sept. 30,  

2010   

      

Sept. 30,  

2009   

 

  Sales

       $1,540               $1,209            $4,096               $3,107    

Price change from comparative period

       14%            N/A            38%            N/A    

Volume change from comparative period

       13%            N/A            (6)%           N/A    

  Equity earnings

       $6               $11            $50               $15    

  EBITDA

       $2               $457            $1               $392    

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

       -               $457            -               $392    

Hydrocarbons and Energy sales were $1,540 million in the third quarter of 2010, up 27 percent from $1,209 million in the third quarter of 2009, consisting of a 14 percent increase in price, driven by higher feedstock and energy costs, and a 13 percent increase in volume. The Company’s product supply agreements with Styron led to a substantial increase in trade sales for the segment compared with the third quarter of 2009. These additional trade sales more than offset the loss of refinery sales following the third quarter of 2009 divestiture of the Company’s ownership interest in TRN. Excluding prior period sales related to TRN, volume increased 57 percent compared with the third quarter of 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, sales were $4,096 million, up 32 percent from $3,107 million in the first nine months of 2009.

The Company uses derivatives of crude oil and natural gas as feedstocks in its ethylene facilities, while natural gas is used as a fuel. The Company’s cost of purchased feedstock and energy in the third quarter of 2010 increased $585 million, or 14 percent, compared with the same quarter of last year.

The Hydrocarbons and Energy business transfers materials to Dow’s derivatives businesses at net cost. As a result, EBITDA for the segment was near breakeven for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010. EBITDA for the third quarter of 2009 was $457 million, due to a gain on the sale of the Company’s ownership interest in TRN (see Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements). EBITDA for the first nine months of 2009 was $392 million, which included the gain on the sale of the Company’s ownership interest in TRN and restructuring charges of $65 million.

 

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CORPORATE

Included in the results for Corporate are:

 

   

results of insurance company operations,

 

   

results of Morton International, Inc. (through the October 1, 2009 divestiture of this business),

 

   

gains and losses on sales of financial assets,

 

   

stock-based compensation expense and severance costs,

 

   

changes in the allowance for doubtful receivables,

 

   

expenses related to New Ventures,

 

   

asbestos-related defense and resolution costs,

 

   

foreign exchange hedging results, and

 

   

certain overhead and other cost recovery variances not allocated to the operating segments.

 

  Corporate        Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended  

  Actual Results

  In millions

  

Sept. 30, 

2010  

    

Sept. 30,

2009 

    

Sept. 30,  

2010   

    

Sept. 30,  

2009   

 

  Sales

     $74          $293          $242          $648    

  EBITDA

     $(425)         $(275)         $(1,178)         $(878)   
           
  Corporate        Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended  

  2010 Actual Versus 2009 Pro Forma

  In millions

  

Sept. 30, 

2010  

    

Sept. 30,

2009 

    

Sept. 30,  

2010   

    

Sept. 30,  

2009   

 

  Sales

     $74          $293          $242          $1,038      

  Equity earnings

     $(1)         $(6)         $(12)         $(7)     

  EBITDA

     $(425)         $(275)         $(1,178)         $(837)     

  Certain items impacting EBITDA

     $(131)         $(103)         $(195)         $(563)     

Sales for Corporate were $74 million in the third quarter of 2010, down from the third quarter of 2009 due to the divestiture of Morton International, Inc. (“Morton”) in the fourth quarter of 2009.

EBITDA in the third quarter of 2010 was a loss of $425 million, compared with a loss of $275 million in the third quarter of 2009. In addition to labor-related litigation costs of $50 million, a $46 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt and integration costs of $35 million related to the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas, EBITDA for third quarter of 2010 was negatively impacted by higher performance-based compensation (including stock-based compensation and increased expense related to greater employee participation in the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan) and the absence of earnings from Morton. EBITDA for the third quarter of 2009 was reduced by costs related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas of $103 million, including a $56 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt held by Morton, other transaction and integration costs of $21 million and an additional $26 million of acquisition-related retention expenses.

EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 was a loss of $1,178 million, compared with a loss of $837 million in the same period last year. Similar to the quarterly results, year-to-date EBITDA was reduced by integration costs of $98 million related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas, $50 million of labor-related litigation costs, a $46 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt and a $1 million net adjustment to the 2009 restructuring plan. EBITDA for the first nine months of 2009 was reduced by spending related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas of $261 million (including $80 million incurred by Rohm and Haas prior to the acquisition), restructuring charges totaling $244 million, a $56 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt held by Morton, and $2 million of costs related to the 2008 hurricanes. In addition to the certain items impacting both year-to-date periods, EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 was lower due to increased performance-based compensation (including stock-based compensation and increased expense related to greater employee participation in the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan), the absence of earnings from Morton and increased asbestos-related defense costs.

 

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  Sales Volume and Price by Operating Segment and Geographic Area

  Pro Forma Comparisons

  

  

    

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2010

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2010

 
  Percentage change from prior year    Volume      Price      Total      Volume      Price      Total  

  Operating segments

                 

  Electronic and Specialty Materials

     13%           (1)%         12%         21%         (1)%         20%    

  Coatings and Infrastructure

     (10)             9              (1)           (1)           8             7       

  Health and Agricultural Sciences

     26              (7)             19            8            (4)            4       

  Performance Systems

     -              3              3            13            5             18       

  Performance Products

     (4)             13              9            8            18             26       

  Basic Plastics

     (12)             11              (1)           (6)           29             23       

  Basic Chemicals

     13              20              33            8            19             27       

  Hydrocarbons and Energy

     13              14              27            (6)           38             32       

  Total

     (1)%         8%           7%         2%         15%          17%    

  Geographic areas

                 

  United States

     -              11%          11%         1%         16%          17%    

  Europe, Middle East and Africa (1)

     (4)%         5              1             -             15             15       

  Rest of World

     -              9              9             6            12             18       

  Total

     (1)%         8%           7%          2%         15%          17%    

 

 

Sales Volume and Price by Operating Segment and Geographic Area

Pro Forma Comparisons, Excluding Divestitures (2)

  

  

    

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2010

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2010

 
  Percentage change from prior year    Volume      Price      Total      Volume      Price      Total  

  Operating segments

                 

  Electronic and Specialty Materials

     13%         (1)%         12%         21%          (1)%         20%    

  Coatings and Infrastructure

     1             10              11            7             9             16       

  Health and Agricultural Sciences

     26             (7)             19            8             (4)            4       

  Performance Systems

     12             4               16            17             6             23       

  Performance Products

     10             15              25            15             19             34       

  Basic Plastics

     5             14              19            -             31             31       

  Basic Chemicals

     13             20              33            9             18             27       

  Hydrocarbons and Energy

     57             20              77            30             53             83       

  Total

     14%          9%           23%         12%          16%          28%    

    Geographic areas

                 

  United States

     15%          13%           28%         12%          18%          30%    

  Europe, Middle East and Africa (1)

     16             7               23            12             17             29       

  Rest of World

     10             10               20            11             13             24       

  Total

     14%          9%            23%         12%          16%          28%    
(1)   Sales to customers in the Middle East and Africa, previously reported with Rest of World, are now aligned with Europe, Middle East and Africa; prior period sales have been adjusted to reflect this realignment.
(2)   Excludes sales of the Salt business of Rohm and Haas divested on October 1, 2009, sales related to TRN divested on September 1, 2009, sales of the acrylic monomer business and a portion of the specialty latex business divested on January 25, 2010, sales of the Powder Coatings business divested on June 1, 2010 and sales of Styron divested on June 17, 2010.

 

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OUTLOOK

In the third quarter of 2010, Dow’s results showed broad-based volume gains (excluding prior period divestitures), with the largest increases reported in North America and Europe, pointing to building momentum in the economic recovery of developed regions. Many of Dow’s major end-markets – notably, electronics, coatings, automotive and packaging – are showing resilience to external economic conditions and are on a growth trend, despite the curtailment of government stimulus. These signals give the Company greater confidence in its view that a double-dip recession will not occur and that a more stable economic environment is taking hold.

In the United States, the Company expects growth to continue, although at a slower rate than earlier this year. Business conditions are improving, with corporate profits and investments rising and industrial production showing solid gains compared with last year. The U.S. economy’s recovery, however, will continue to face headwinds from high unemployment, slow job growth, and continued weakness in residential and commercial construction. Moreover, expected monetary easing could lead to inflation in dollar-denominated commodity prices and deflationary pressure on wages and asset values.

In Europe, disparate growth rates have been reported across the continent. Economic conditions have shown solid improvement in northern Europe and in the emerging countries of eastern Europe. Meanwhile, growth in southern Europe continues to be restrained by sovereign debt concerns and tightening in government spending. Looking ahead, the region’s growth is expected to be more in line with domestic consumption.

The emerging economies are expected to continue to show robust growth, with strong performance reported in fast-growing regions of Asia Pacific and Latin America, particularly China and Brazil. Fiscal policy tightening in China has thus far modestly tempered growth and reduced concerns about asset bubbles and a dramatic weakening in economic conditions. In Brazil, economic recovery continues to be led by solid domestic demand, with the Company reporting notable strength in infrastructure, industrial and packaging end-markets.

Purchased feedstock and energy costs are expected to remain elevated for the remainder of 2010 compared with last year as a result of improved economic conditions and rising demand. Additionally, dollar-denominated commodities, such as crude oil, may face upward pressure due to a relatively weaker U.S. dollar. The Company does not expect a rapid rise in costs as global economic growth is expected to follow a more measured pace. However, volatility in feedstock and energy costs is expected to continue. Within the chemical industry, the growing supply of natural gas liquids could benefit the competitiveness of U.S. chemical assets. Meanwhile, the start up of significant new ethylene capacity outside of the United States and Europe is expected to negatively impact supply fundamentals across the ethylene chain and put downward pressure on the profitability of higher-cost production assets within the industry.

Amidst these dynamics, the Company will continue to execute its strategic and financial plan. With a strong presence in high-growth geographic areas and end-markets, the Company is well-positioned to benefit from the global economic recovery, which has been evident thus far in 2010. Going forward, Dow’s plans continue to assume that a dramatic improvement in economic conditions will not occur in the near future. As such, the Company will remain focused on the things within its control to realize the full potential of its business portfolio and lean cost structure, while preferentially investing for growth in the Performance businesses and in the emerging geographic areas. This combination positions the Company well to deliver continued earnings growth.

 

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CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, are summarized in the following table:

 

  Cash Flow Summary    Nine Months Ended  
  In millions    Sept. 30,
2010
    

Sept. 30, 

2009 

 

  Cash provided by (used in):

     

Operating activities

     $2,267          $671      

Investing activities

     781          (15,215)     

Financing activities

     (2,775)         14,261      

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     58          64      

Cash assumed in initial consolidation of variable interest entities

     46          -      

  Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     $377          $(219)     

In the first nine months of 2010, cash provided by operating activities increased significantly compared with the same period last year primarily due to increased earnings, partially offset by an increase in working capital requirements.

Cash provided by investing activities in the first nine months of 2010 reflected proceeds from the divestiture of Styron, as well as other smaller divestitures, and the usage of cash for capital expenditures. Cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of 2009 reflected the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas for $15,681 million, the purchase of a previously leased ethylene plant in Canada for $713 million, and the usage of cash for capital expenditures, partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of nonconsolidated affiliates, TRN ($742 million) and OPTIMAL ($660 million).

In the first nine months of 2010, cash used in financing activities included payments on long-term debt and commercial paper, payments on notes payable related to the monetization of accounts receivable in Europe, and the payment of dividends to stockholders. Cash provided by financing activities in the first nine months of 2009 reflected the funding for the acquisition of Rohm and Haas and the payment of dividends to stockholders, partially offset by the repayment of a $674 million note payable by Calvin Capital LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the redemption of the preferred partnership units and accrued dividends of Tornado Finance V.O.F. of $520 million.

Management expects that the Company will continue to have sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility to meet all of its business obligations.

The Company has undertaken restructuring plans during the past two years as follows:

 

   

On December 5, 2008, the Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan (the “2008 Plan”) that includes the shutdown of a number of facilities and a global workforce reduction. These restructuring activities are targeted to be completed by the end of 2010.

 

   

On June 30, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan (the “2009 Plan”) that includes the elimination of approximately 2,500 positions and the shutdown of a number of manufacturing facilities. These restructuring activities are scheduled to be completed primarily by the end of 2011.

 

   

Included in the liabilities assumed with the April 1, 2009 acquisition of Rohm and Haas was a reserve of $122 million for severance and employee benefits for the separation of 1,255 employees associated with Rohm and Haas’ 2008 restructuring initiatives. The separations resulted from plant shutdowns, production schedule adjustments, productivity improvements and reductions in support services. These restructuring activities are scheduled to be completed primarily by the end of 2011.

 

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The restructuring activities related to the 2008 Plan, the 2009 Plan and the severance reserve assumed from Rohm and Haas are expected to result in additional cash expenditures of approximately $271 million primarily by the end of 2011 related to severance costs, contract termination fees, asbestos abatement and environmental remediation (see Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company expects to incur future costs related to its restructuring activities, as the Company continually looks for ways to enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its operations to ensure competitiveness across its businesses and across geographic areas. Future costs are expected to include demolition costs related to the closed facilities, which will be recognized as incurred. The Company also expects to incur additional employee-related costs, including involuntary termination benefits and pension plan settlement costs, related to its other optimization activities. These costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

The following tables present working capital, total debt and certain balance sheet ratios:

 

  Working Capital

  In millions

  

Sept. 30, 

2010  

    

Dec. 31, 

2009  

 

  Current assets

     $20,669            $19,542      

  Current liabilities

     13,159            13,105      

  Working capital

     $  7,510            $  6,437      

  Current ratio

     1.57:1            1.49:1      

  Days-sales-outstanding-in-receivables

     44            45      

  Days-sales-in-inventory

     68            64      
     

  Total Debt

  In millions

  

Sept. 30, 

2010  

    

Dec. 31, 

2009  

 

  Notes payable

     $  1,329            $  2,139      

  Long-term debt due within one year

     1,772            1,082      

  Long-term debt

     18,030            19,152      

  Total debt

     $21,131            $22,373      

  Debt as a percent of total capitalization

     48.3%         51.4%   

As part of its ongoing financing activities, Dow has the ability to issue promissory notes under its U.S. and Euromarket commercial paper programs. At September 30, 2010, the Company had no commercial paper outstanding ($721 million at December 31, 2009).

In the event Dow has short-term liquidity needs and is unable to access these short-term markets for any reason, Dow has the ability to access liquidity through its committed and available $3 billion Three Year Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated June 4, 2010 (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with various U.S. and foreign banks. The Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date in June 2013 and provides for interest at a LIBOR-plus rate or Base Rate as defined in the Agreement. This Revolving Credit Facility replaces the previous facility dated April 24, 2006. At September 30, 2010, the full $3 billion credit facility was available to the Company.

At September 30, 2010, the Company had Euro 5 billion (approximately $6.8 billion) available for issuance under the Company’s Euro Medium Term Note Program, as well as Japanese yen 50 billion (approximately $600 million) of securities available for issuance under a shelf registration renewed with the Tokyo Stock Exchange effective September 8, 2010, which will expire on September 7, 2012. In addition, as a well-known seasoned issuer, the Company filed an automatic shelf registration for an unspecified amount of mixed securities with the SEC on February 19, 2010. Under this shelf registration, the Company may offer common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units with pricing and availability dependent on market conditions; and, on February 19, 2010, registered an unlimited amount of securities for issuance under the Company’s U.S. retail medium term note program (InterNotes).

 

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Dow’s public debt instruments and documents for its private funding transactions contain, among other provisions, certain covenants and default provisions. The Company’s most significant debt covenant with regard to its financial position is the obligation to maintain the ratio of the Company’s consolidated indebtedness to consolidated capitalization at no greater than 0.65 to 1.00 at any time the aggregate outstanding amount of loans under the primary credit agreements exceeds $500 million. The ratio of the Company’s consolidated indebtedness to consolidated capitalization as defined in the credit agreements was 0.464 to 1.00 at September 30, 2010. Management believes the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants and default provisions at September 30, 2010.

The Company’s credit rating is currently investment grade. The Company’s long-term credit ratings are BBB- with a positive outlook (Standard & Poor’s), Baa3 with a negative outlook (Moody’s) and BBB with a stable outlook (Fitch). In the third quarter of 2010, Standard & Poor’s upgraded the Company’s outlook from stable to positive. The Company’s short-term credit ratings are A-3 (Standard & Poor’s), P-3 (Moody’s) and F2 (Fitch). If the Company’s credit ratings are downgraded, borrowing costs will increase on certain indentures, and it could have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to access credit markets.

Capital Expenditures

Capital spending was $497 million in the third quarter of 2010, which included capital spending of variable interest entities that were consolidated on January 1, 2010, compared with $266 million in the third quarter of 2009. Year to date, capital spending was $1,188 million compared with $825 million in 2009. The Company expects capital spending in 2010 to be approximately $2.0 billion.

Contractual Obligations

Information related to the Company’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and expected cash requirements for interest at December 31, 2009 can be found in Notes N, O, P, Q and X to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. With the exception of the two contracts noted below, there have been no material changes in the Company’s contractual obligations or commercial commitments since December 31, 2009.

In the second quarter of 2010, the Company entered into two new five-year contracts for the purchase of ethylene-related products beginning in 2010. At September 30, 2010, the fixed and determinable portion of the take-or-pay commitment associated with these new contracts was $142 million in 2010, $203 million in 2011, $211 million in 2012, $224 million in 2013 and $237 million in 2014. See Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on purchase commitments.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASU 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.” ASU 2009-17 amends the consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and requires additional disclosures concerning an enterprise’s continuing involvement with VIEs. The Company evaluated the impact of this guidance and determined that the adoption resulted in the January 1, 2010 consolidation of two additional joint ventures, an owner trust and an entity that was used to monetize accounts receivable. The Company also holds a variable interest in another joint venture accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of the joint venture and therefore is not required to consolidate this entity. See Notes B and L to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Guarantees arise during the ordinary course of business from relationships with customers and nonconsolidated affiliates when the Company undertakes an obligation to guarantee the performance of others if specific triggering events occur. The Company had outstanding guarantees at September 30, 2010 of $618 million, down from $1,053 million at December 31, 2009. The decrease in maximum future payments from year-end 2009 was due to the consolidation of the Company’s variable interest in an owner trust in the first quarter of 2010, with the adoption of ASU 2009-17 (see Notes B and L). Additional information related to these guarantees can be found in the “Guarantees” section of Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Note K to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the impact of adopting ASU 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets,” on January 1, 2010 and for additional information regarding the transfer of financial assets.

 

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Fair Value Measurements

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in the fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 or 3) based on the inputs used for valuation. Assets and liabilities that are traded on an exchange with a quoted price are classified as Level 1 measurements. Assets and liabilities that are valued based on a bid or bid evaluation are classified as Level 2 measurements. The custodian of the Company’s debt and equity securities uses multiple industry-recognized vendors for pricing information and established processes for validation and verification to assist the Company in its process for determining and validating fair values for these assets. For Company assets and pension or other post retirement benefit plan assets classified as Level 3 measurements, the fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs including assumptions where there is little, if any, market activity. The sensitivity of fair value estimates is immaterial relative to the assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as to the total equity of the Company. See Note I to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company’s disclosures about fair value measurements.

Portfolio managers and external investment managers regularly review all of the Company’s holdings to determine if any investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. The analysis includes reviewing the amount of the temporary impairment, as well as the length of time it has been impaired. In addition, specific guidelines for each instrument type are followed to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. For debt securities, the credit rating of the issuer, current credit rating trends and the trends of the issuer’s overall sector are considered in determining whether unrealized losses represent an other-than-temporary impairment. For equity securities, the Company’s investments are primarily in Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 companies; however, the Company’s policies allow investments in companies outside of the S&P 500. The Company considers the evidence to support the recovery of the cost basis of a security including volatility of the stock, the length of time the security has been in a loss position, value and growth expectations, and overall market and sector fundamentals, as well as technical analysis, in determining impairment. Other-than-temporary impairment write-downs in the first nine months of 2010 were $4 million.

Dividends

On September 9, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, payable October 29, 2010, to common stockholders of record on September 30, 2010. Since 1912, the Company has paid a cash dividend every quarter and, in each instance prior to February 12, 2009, had maintained or increased the amount of the dividend, adjusted for stock splits. During this 97-year period, Dow has increased the amount of the quarterly dividend 47 times (approximately 12 percent of the time), and maintained the amount of the quarterly dividend approximately 88 percent of the time. The dividend was reduced in February 2009, for the first time in the 97-year period, due to uncertainty in the credit markets, unprecedented lower demand for chemical products and the ongoing global recession.

On September 9, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $85 million to Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A shareholders of record on September 15, 2010, which was paid on October 1, 2010. Ongoing dividends related to Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A will accrue at the rate of $85 million per quarter, and are payable quarterly subject to Board of Directors’ approval.

OTHER MATTERS

Recent Accounting Guidance

See Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of recent accounting guidance.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (“2009 10-K”) describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Dow’s critical accounting policies that are impacted by judgments, assumptions and estimates are described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s 2009 10-K. Since December 31, 2009, there have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies.

 

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Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation

Introduction

Union Carbide Corporation (“Union Carbide”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is and has been involved in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts during the past three decades. These suits principally allege personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos-containing products and frequently seek both actual and punitive damages. The alleged claims primarily relate to products that Union Carbide sold in the past, alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products located on Union Carbide’s premises, and Union Carbide’s responsibility for asbestos suits filed against a former Union Carbide subsidiary, Amchem Products, Inc. (“Amchem”). In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable loss as a result of such exposure, or that injuries incurred in fact resulted from exposure to Union Carbide’s products.

Influenced by the bankruptcy filings of numerous defendants in asbestos-related litigation and the prospects of various forms of state and national legislative reform, the rate at which plaintiffs filed asbestos-related suits against various companies, including Union Carbide and Amchem, increased in 2001, 2002 and the first half of 2003. Since then, the rate of filing has significantly abated. Union Carbide expects more asbestos-related suits to be filed against Union Carbide and Amchem in the future, and will aggressively defend or reasonably resolve, as appropriate, both pending and future claims.

The table below provides information regarding asbestos-related claims filed against Union Carbide and Amchem:

 

        2010        2009    

Claims unresolved at January 1

       75,030            75,706      

Claims filed

       5,525            6,379      

Claims settled, dismissed or otherwise resolved

       (17,083)           (6,728)     

Claims unresolved at September 30

       63,472            75,357      

Claimants with claims against both UCC and Amchem

       19,844            24,328      

Individual claimants at September 30

       43,628            51,029      

Plaintiffs’ lawyers often sue dozens or even hundreds of defendants in individual lawsuits on behalf of hundreds or even thousands of claimants. As a result, the damages alleged are not expressly identified as to Union Carbide, Amchem or any other particular defendant, even when specific damages are alleged with respect to a specific disease or injury. In fact, there are no personal injury cases in which only Union Carbide and/or Amchem are the sole named defendants. For these reasons and based upon Union Carbide’s litigation and settlement experience, Union Carbide does not consider the damages alleged against Union Carbide and Amchem to be a meaningful factor in its determination of any potential asbestos-related liability.

Estimating the Liability

Based on a study completed by Analysis, Research & Planning Corporation (“ARPC”) in January 2003, Union Carbide increased its December 31, 2002 asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims for the 15-year period ending in 2017 to $2.2 billion, excluding future defense and processing costs. Since then, Union Carbide has compared current asbestos claim and resolution activity to the results of the most recent ARPC study at each balance sheet date to determine whether the accrual continues to be appropriate. In addition, Union Carbide has requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s historical asbestos claim and resolution activity each November since 2004 to determine the appropriateness of updating the most recent ARPC study.

In November 2008, Union Carbide requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s historical asbestos claim and resolution activity and determine the appropriateness of updating its then most recent study completed in December 2006. In response to that request, ARPC reviewed and analyzed data through October 31, 2008. The resulting study, completed by ARPC in December 2008, stated that the undiscounted cost of resolving pending and future asbestos-related claims against Union Carbide and Amchem, excluding future defense and processing costs, through 2023 was estimated to be between $952 million and $1.2 billion. As in its earlier studies, ARPC provided estimates for a longer period of time in its December 2008 study, but also reaffirmed its prior advice that forecasts for shorter periods of time are more accurate than those for longer periods of time.

 

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In December 2008, based on ARPC’s December 2008 study and Union Carbide’s own review of the asbestos claim and resolution activity, Union Carbide decreased its asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims to $952 million, which covered the 15-year period ending 2023, excluding future defense and processing costs. The reduction was $54 million and was shown as “Asbestos-related credit” in the consolidated statements of income. At December 31, 2008, the asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $934 million.

In November 2009, Union Carbide requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s 2009 asbestos claim and resolution activity and determine the appropriateness of updating its December 2008 study. In response to that request, ARPC reviewed and analyzed data through October 31, 2009. In December 2009, ARPC stated that an update of its study would not provide a more likely estimate of future events than the estimate reflected in its study of the previous year and, therefore, the estimate in that study remained applicable. Based on Union Carbide’s own review of the asbestos claim and resolution activity and ARPC’s response, Union Carbide determined that no change to the accrual was required. At December 31, 2009, Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $839 million. At December 31, 2009, approximately 23 percent of the recorded liability related to pending claims and approximately 77 percent related to future claims.

Based on Union Carbide’s review of 2010 activity, Union Carbide determined that no adjustment to the accrual was required at September 30, 2010. Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $800 million at September 30, 2010. Approximately 21 percent of the recorded liability related to pending claims and approximately 79 percent related to future claims.

Defense and Resolution Costs

The following table provides information regarding defense and resolution costs related to asbestos-related claims filed against Union Carbide and Amchem:

 

  Defense and Resolution Costs    Nine Months Ended      Aggregate Costs    
  In millions    Sept. 30,
2010
     Sept. 30,
2009
     to Date as of  
Sept. 30, 2010  
 

  Defense costs

     $58          $40          $745     

  Resolution costs

     $40          $77          $1,520     

The average resolution payment per asbestos claimant and the rate of new claim filings has fluctuated since the beginning of 2001. Union Carbide’s management expects such fluctuation to continue based upon a number of factors, including the number and type of claims settled in a particular period, the jurisdictions in which such claims arose and the extent to which any proposed legislative reform related to asbestos litigation is being considered.

Union Carbide expenses defense costs as incurred. The pretax impact for defense and resolution costs, net of insurance, was $22 million in the third quarter of 2010 ($20 million in the third quarter of 2009) and $58 million in the first nine months of 2010 ($40 million in the first nine months of 2009), and was reflected in “Cost of sales.”

Insurance Receivables

At December 31, 2002, Union Carbide increased the receivable for insurance recoveries related to its asbestos liability to $1.35 billion, substantially exhausting its asbestos product liability coverage. The insurance receivable related to the asbestos liability was determined by Union Carbide after a thorough review of applicable insurance policies and the 1985 Wellington Agreement, to which Union Carbide and many of its liability insurers are signatory parties, as well as other insurance settlements, with due consideration given to applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, and taking into account the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers. The Wellington Agreement and other agreements with insurers are designed to facilitate an orderly resolution and collection of Union Carbide’s insurance policies and to resolve issues that the insurance carriers may raise.

 

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In September 2003, Union Carbide filed a comprehensive insurance coverage case, now proceeding in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, seeking to confirm its rights to insurance for various asbestos claims and to facilitate an orderly and timely collection of insurance proceeds (the “Insurance Litigation”). The Insurance Litigation was filed against insurers that are not signatories to the Wellington Agreement and/or do not otherwise have agreements in place with Union Carbide regarding their asbestos-related insurance coverage, in order to facilitate an orderly resolution and collection of such insurance policies and to resolve issues that the insurance carriers may raise. Since the filing of the case, Union Carbide has reached settlements with several of the carriers involved in the Insurance Litigation, including settlements reached with two significant carriers in the fourth quarter of 2009. The Insurance Litigation is ongoing.

Union Carbide’s receivable for insurance recoveries related to its asbestos liability was $84 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, all of the receivable for insurance recoveries was related to insurers that are not signatories to the Wellington Agreement and/or do not otherwise have agreements in place regarding their asbestos-related insurance coverage.

In addition to the receivable for insurance recoveries related to the asbestos-related liability, Union Carbide had receivables for defense and resolution costs submitted to insurance carriers that have settlement agreements in place regarding their asbestos-related insurance coverage.

The following table summarizes Union Carbide’s receivables related to its asbestos-related liability:

 

  Receivables for Asbestos-Related Costs

  In millions

  

Sept. 30,

2010

    

Dec. 31, 

2009 

 

  Receivables for defense costs – carriers with settlement agreements

     $    7          $  91     

  Receivables for resolution costs – carriers with settlement agreements

     235          357     

  Receivables for insurance recoveries – carriers without settlement agreements

     84          84     

  Total

     $326          $532     

After a review of its insurance policies, with due consideration given to applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, and after taking into account the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers, existing insurance settlements, and the advice of outside counsel with respect to the applicable insurance coverage law relating to the terms and conditions of its insurance policies, Union Carbide continues to believe that its recorded receivable for insurance recoveries from all insurance carriers is probable of collection.

Summary

The amounts recorded by Union Carbide for the asbestos-related liability and related insurance receivable described above were based upon current, known facts. However, future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed and/or received each year, the average cost of disposing of each such claim, coverage issues among insurers, and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation in the United States, could cause the actual costs and insurance recoveries for Union Carbide to be higher or lower than those projected or those recorded.

Because of the uncertainties described above, Union Carbide’s management cannot estimate the full range of the cost of resolving pending and future asbestos-related claims facing Union Carbide and Amchem. Union Carbide’s management believes that it is reasonably possible that the cost of disposing of Union Carbide’s asbestos-related claims, including future defense costs, could have a material adverse impact on Union Carbide’s results of operations and cash flows for a particular period and on the consolidated financial position of Union Carbide.

It is the opinion of Dow’s management that it is reasonably possible that the cost of Union Carbide disposing of its asbestos-related claims, including future defense costs, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for a particular period and on the consolidated financial position of the Company.

 

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The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Dow’s business operations give rise to market risk exposure due to changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, commodity prices and other market factors such as equity prices. To manage such risks effectively, the Company enters into hedging transactions, pursuant to established guidelines and policies, which enable it to mitigate the adverse effects of financial market risk. Derivatives used for this purpose are designated as hedges per the accounting guidance related to derivatives and hedging activities, where appropriate. A secondary objective is to add value by creating additional non-specific exposure within established limits and policies; derivatives used for this purpose are not designated as hedges. The potential impact of creating such additional exposures is not material to the Company’s results.

The global nature of Dow’s business requires active participation in the foreign exchange markets. As a result of investments, production facilities and other operations on a global basis, the Company has assets, liabilities and cash flows in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign exchange risk management is to optimize the U.S. dollar value of net assets and cash flows, keeping the adverse impact of currency movements to a minimum. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges on a net exposure basis using foreign currency forward contracts, over-the-counter option contracts, cross-currency swaps, and nonderivative instruments in foreign currencies. Exposures primarily relate to assets, liabilities and bonds denominated in foreign currencies, as well as economic exposure, which is derived from the risk that currency fluctuations could affect the dollar value of future cash flows related to operating activities. The largest exposures are denominated in European currencies, the Japanese yen and the Canadian dollar, although exposures also exist in other currencies of Asia Pacific, Latin America, and India, Middle East and Africa.

The main objective of interest rate risk management is to reduce the total funding cost to the Company and to alter the interest rate exposure to the desired risk profile. Dow uses interest rate swaps, “swaptions,” and exchange-traded instruments to accomplish this objective. The Company’s primary exposure is to the U.S. dollar yield curve.

Dow has a portfolio of equity securities derived primarily from the investment activities of its insurance subsidiaries. This exposure is managed in a manner consistent with the Company’s market risk policies and procedures.

Inherent in Dow’s business is exposure to price changes for several commodities. Some exposures can be hedged effectively through liquid tradable financial instruments. Feedstocks for ethylene production and natural gas constitute the main commodity exposures. Over-the-counter and exchange traded instruments are used to hedge these risks when feasible.

Dow uses value at risk (“VAR”), stress testing and scenario analysis for risk measurement and control purposes. VAR estimates the maximum potential loss in fair market values, given a certain move in prices over a certain period of time, using specified confidence levels. The VAR methodology used by the Company is a historical simulation model which captures co-movements in market rates across different instruments and market risk exposure categories. The historical simulation model uses a 97.5 percent confidence level and the historical scenario period includes at least six months of historical data. The September 30, 2010, 2009 year-end and 2009 average daily VAR for the aggregate of all positions are shown below. These amounts are immaterial relative to the total equity of the Company:

 

  Total Daily VAR            2009  
  In millions    At Sept. 30, 2010        Year-end      Average    

  Foreign exchange

     $2         $1         $3     

  Interest rate

     $183         $207         $205     

  Equities

     $12         $7         $11     

  Commodities

     $3         $3         $2     

  Composite

     $189         $212         $207     

The Company’s daily VAR for the aggregate of all positions decreased from a composite VAR of $212 million at December 31, 2009 to a composite of $189 million at September 30, 2010. The decrease related primarily to a decrease in the interest rate VAR from $207 million to $183 million, principally due to a decrease in the amount of debt outstanding.

See Note H to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further disclosure regarding market risk.

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Disclosure Committee and the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that was conducted during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation

No material developments regarding this matter occurred during the third quarter of 2010. For a summary of the history and current status of this matter, see Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements; and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation.

Environmental Matters

On November 3, 2009, Rohm and Haas Texas Incorporated (“ROHT”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, received an Administrative Complaint from the Texas Council of Environmental Quality (the “TCEQ”) seeking a civil penalty in the amount of $542,000 for 20 air emission events, all of which occurred before ROHT became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The tentative settlement with the TCEQ staff for the assessed amount was approved by the TCEQ Commissioners in a public meeting on August 25, 2010 with half of the amount to be paid in cash and half to be used to fund a Supplemental Environmental Project to purchase clean-operating school buses.

The Company received a written communication dated September 17, 2010 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), notifying the Company of the EPA’s intent to assess a civil penalty against the Company for alleged violations of various environmental rules and regulations at the Company’s Plaquemine, Louisiana site. The Company is negotiating with the EPA and expects that resolution of this matter will likely result in a civil penalty in excess of $100,000.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

There were no material changes in the Company’s risk factors in the third quarter of 2010.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

The following table provides information regarding purchases of the Company’s common stock by the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2010:

 

  Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities                               

  Period

    
 
 
Total number
of shares
purchased 
  
  
(1) 
   
 
 
Average
price paid
per share
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
 
 
Total number of
shares purchased as
part of the Company’s
publicly announced
share repurchase
program
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
Approximate dollar  
value of shares that  
may yet be  purchased  
under the Company’s  
publicly announced  
share repurchase  
program  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  July 2010

     10,393      $ 24.43         -         -     

  August 2010

     2,673      $ 25.82         -         -     

  September 2010

     2,986      $ 26.20         -         -     

  Third quarter 2010

     16,052      $ 24.99         -         -     
(1) Represents shares received from employees and non-employee directors to pay taxes owed to the Company as a result of the exercise of stock options or the delivery of deferred stock.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.

See the Exhibit Index on page 81 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for exhibits filed with this report.

 

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Trademark Listing

 

 

The following trademarks or service marks of The Dow Chemical Company and certain affiliated companies of Dow appear in this report: ACRYSOL, ACUDYNE, ACULYN, ACUMER, ACuPLANE, ACUSOL, ADCOTE, ADVASTAB, AERIFY, AFFINITY, AIRSTONE, AMBERLITE, AMBITROL, AMPLIFY, AQUA-LAM, AQUASET, AR, ASPUN, ATTANE, AUROLECTROLESS, AUTOMATE, AVANSE, BETAFOAM, BETAMATE, BETASEAL, BOROL, CANGUARD, CARBITOL, CARBOWAX, CARBOWAX SENTRY, CELLOSIZE, CELLOSOLVE, CLEAR+STABLE, CONTINUUM, COPPER GLEAM, CORRGUARD, CYCLOTENE, D.E.H., D.E.N., D.E.R., DOW, DOWANOL, DOWEX, DOWFAX, DOWFROST, DOWICIDE, DOWLEX, DOWTHERM, DURAMAX, DURAPLUS, DURAPOSIT, ECHELON, ECOSOFT, ECOSURF, ELASTENE, ELITE, ENDURANCE, ENFORCER, ENGAGE, ENHANCER, ENLIGHT, EPIC, FILMTEC, FORTEFIBER, FORTEGRA, FROTH-PAK, GREAT STUFF, HYPERKOTE, HYPOL, IMPAXX, INFUSE, INSPIRE, INSTA-STIK, INTEGRAL, INTERVIA, ISONATE, LITHOJET, METEOR, METHOCEL, MONOTHANE, MOR-FREE, MORTRACE, NORDEL, NORKOOL, NYLOPAK, OPTICITE, OPTIDOSE, OPTOGRADE, OPULYN, OROTAN, PAPI, PARALOID, POLYOX, POWERHOUSE, PRIMACOR, PRIMAL, PRIMENE, PROCITE, PROGLYDE, REDI-LINK, RENUVA, RHOPLEX, ROBOND, ROMAX, ROPAQUE, SARAN, SARANEX, SATINFX, SATISFIT, SERFENE, SHAC, SI-LINK, SILK, SOLTERRA, SOLTEX, SPECFIL, SPECFLEX, SPECTRIM, STYROFOAM, SUNSPHERES, SYNALOX, TAMOL, TERGITOL, THERMAX, TILE BOND, TRAFFIDECK, TRENCHCOAT, TRITON, TRYCITE, TUFLIN, TYBRITE, TYMOR, TYRIN, UCAR, UCARE, UCARHIDE, UCON, UNIGARD, UNIPOL, UNIVAL, VERDISEAL, VERSENE, VERSIFY, VISIONPAD, VORACOR, VORACTIV, VORALAST, VORAMER, VORANATE, VORANOL, VORASTAR, WALOCEL, WALSRODER, WEATHERMATE, XITRACK

The following trademarks or service marks of Dow AgroSciences LLC and certain affiliated companies of Dow AgroSciences LLC appear in this report: BRODBECK, CLINCHER, DAIRYLAND, DELEGATE, DITHANE, FORTRESS, GARLON, GLYPHOMAX, GRANITE, HERCULEX, KEYSTONE, LAREDO, LONTREL, LORSBAN, MILESTONE, MUSTANG, MYCOGEN, NEXERA, PHYTOGEN, PROFUME, RENZE, SENTRICON, SIMPLICITY, STARANE, TELONE, TORDON, TRACER NATURALYTE, TRIUMPH, VIKANE, WIDESTRIKE

The following trademark of Agromen Sementes Agricolas Ltda appears in this report: AGROMEN

The following trademarks of Arkema, Inc. appear in this report: EVOCAR, NEOCAR

The following trademark of Coatex SAS appears in this report: POLYPHOBE

The following trademark of Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. appears in this report: PELLETHANE

The following trademarks of Styron LLC appear in this report: FOUNDATIONS, MAGNUM, PULSE, STYRON, STYRON A-TECH, STYRON C-TECH

 

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The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Signature

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of

1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed

on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
Registrant

Date: November 3, 2010

 

/s/ RONALD C. EDMONDS

Ronald C. Edmonds
Vice President and Controller

 

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Exhibit Index

 

 

EXHIBIT NO.   

DESCRIPTION

3(i)

  

A copy of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Dow Chemical Company as filed with the Secretary of State, State of Delaware on May 17, 2010.

12.1

  

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

23

  

Analysis, Research & Planning Corporation’s Consent.

31(a)

  

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31(b)

  

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32(a)

  

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32(b)

  

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document (1)

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)

 

   (1) Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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