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Dow stops making one of its first products

Vox Efx
/
Wikimedia Commons

When Dow Chemical Company started in Midland, Michigan in 1897, it produced two chemicals. One of them was bleach. Now, Dow is getting out of the bleach business.

A hedge fund has been pressuring Dow officials to spin off what are called 'commodity chemicals' in order to focus the companies efforts. 

Dow sold its chlorine business to Olin Corportation, headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Olin produces chemicals, metals, and Winchester-Western ammunition.

Dow gets about $5 billion and just over half of Olin's common stock in the deal.

Lester Graham reports for The Environment Report. He has reported on public policy, politics, and issues regarding race and gender inequity. He was previously with The Environment Report at Michigan Public from 1998-2010.