About Us

Dow Canada was founded in 1942 and began its Sarnia operations in 1947. Dow was originally invited by the Canadian government to locate in Canada to help with the war effort. It was the first time that Dow had operated outside of the United States.

The Sarnia Site is located on 279 acres adjacent to the St. Clair River. The manufacturing plants at Dow's Sarnia Site make basic chemicals and plastics. We ship these products by rail car or truck to our customers, who process them further into the consumer products you purchase.

Our manufacturing plants depend on a number of supporting groups to ensure the safety and efficiency of our entire production process. Some of these supporting units are:

The Environmental and Utilities Group is responsible for all Site waste water treatment at the Biological Oxidation plant, waste handling, and the storage and distribution of hydrochloric acid, as well as the operation of site utilities such as steam, air, water and power.

We receive the ethylene needed at our Sarnia Site manufacturing plants through the Cochin pipeline that stretches from Dow's manufacturing site in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, to our Sarnia Site in Ontario. This raw material is received, stored and distributed by Hydrocarbons Storage and Distribution (HCSD), located about six kilometers southwest of our main manufacturing facility. This location also provides contract Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and ethylene storage for third-party customers.

Adjacent to the HCSD unit is The Dow Wetlands. From its original concept in 1997 when this area of Dow's land on LaSalle Road was chosen to provide the soil required to cover Dow's non-active landfill operation at Scott Road, The Wetlands have evolved into a sanctuary for plant and wildlife. In 1998, approximately 300 trees and shrubs were planted, and small plant life such as bulrushes and cattails were planted on the banks of The Wetlands' four ponds, and on small islands in the middle of the ponds. Since then The Wetlands have continued to grow, gaining new animal and plant species. The creation of The Dow Memorial Forest began in late 2000, and honours the memory of past employees while contributing to the environment. The Forest is also a Carolinian habitat capable of supporting larger species of animals that help balance the ecosystem in The Wetlands.

The Wetlands is continuously maintained, and through the efforts of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority a tours program is provided for local area school children. In 2005 an automated weather station was purchased and will measure wind speed and direction, temperature, solar radiation and precipitation. The weather station will also be a feature of the school tours program and ties to local grade 5 curriculum: “Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems” and “Conservation of Energy.” During 2005 over 2,000 local area school children attended at The Dow Wetlands.

Manufacturing Units
Chemistry is essential to everything and everyone. The benefits are all around — from paper and pens to refrigerators and roofing. From bicycle helmets to bread bags to carpets and caulking. As a key manufacturing location in Eastern Canada Dow Sarnia’s four manufacturing units make basic chemicals and plastics.

Our Polystyrene unit produces two types of polystyrene plastics using styrene and rubber as key ingredients. The plastic can be used to make products ranging from refrigerator linings and bicycle helmets, to packaging products like foam meat trays and cases for packaging compact discs (CDs) and digital video discs (DVDs).

Another product made from polystyrene is STYROFOAM™ Brand Insulation used in home construction. Invented by Dow more than 50 years ago and identified by its distinctive Blue™ color, it provides extra insulating value and helps minimize heating and cooling bills. With today's skyrocketing energy costs, this is an important factor in providing affordable housing. We support initiatives to collect, process and market recycled polystyrene, and are a founding member of the Canadian Polystyrene Recycling Association.

Polyethylene is a Key Ingredient in Plastic Products and our Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) plant produces material that is used for flexible plastics and clear films such as grocery bags, packaging to keep food safe, coatings on cartons, and even children's toys. The health care and dry cleaning industries also use this type of plastic, for packaging and film.

Polyurethanes provide products and solutions that make a difference. Polyols produced at our Sarnia Propylene Oxide Derivatives unit are the basic building blocks in a variety of polyurethane foam products including automotive car seats, dashboards and bumpers, foam mattresses and pillows, and furniture foam.

In January, 2005, the Specialty Plastics business announced it would cease production of polyethylene waxes at the Sarnia Product Development Plant. The decision, which addressed the lack of market for polyethylene wax, resulted in the idling of the plant. Dow continues to investigate potential alternative uses for the facility.

Our Latex unit produces acrylic and styrene acrylic waterborne latexes for the architectural and industrial coatings industries, adhesives and sealants industries, and traffic paint industries. Next time you paint or caulk, you may be using a product that began its life at this plant.

In September, 2005, Dow’s Global Research and Development (R&D) function announced changes to the way it would deliver service in Sarnia with fewer resources providing direct support for production, and drawing on larger Dow centres for other needs. As a result, the Sarnia-based Dow Automotive Reactive Polymers R&D Laboratory will relocate to Midland, Michigan in March, 2006.