Dow in Louisiana

As part of its global commitment to sustainability, Dow looks to invest in programs and organizations that will have a long-term impact and serve as a starting point for widespread community involvement and growth. The list of organizations, projects, programs, events, and activities that Dow sponsors or is involved with in Louisiana is extensive, but most can be categorized into three areas of focus: economy & workforce development, science, mathematics, engineering and technology related education, and protection of the environment.

Dow’s innovative Community Success process allows strategic Dow communities to provide qualitative and quantitative inputs on their quality-of-life issues and what Dow’s appropriate role is – whether it’s directly addressing community needs or using its leadership position to influence other organizations. Through this process, Dow is able to better align the community’s needs with Dow’s intellectual and business knowledge-how to maximize the long-term benefit to the community.

Protecting the Community

Safety is always Dow's top priority. We are deeply committed to the security and safety of our sites, products, our employees and our communities.

We also know that our communities give us our license to operate – and we will not compromise on our commitment to working with industry and governments wherever we operate to help address Community Safety & Security.

Committed to Sustainability

Dow is committed to using resources more efficiently, providing value to our customers and stakeholders, delivering solutions for customer needs and enhancing the quality of life of current and future generations.

The Dow Chemical Company has set ambitious 2025 Sustainability Goals. We will lead in developing a societal blueprint that integrates public policy solutions, science and technology, and value chain innovation to facilitate the transition to a sustainable planet and society.

What do we mean when we say "flares"?

Flares are safety devices that are used at many petrochemical facilities to effectively burn industrial gases that cannot be returned to the process. Burning converts the gases into two common substances: carbon dioxide and water vapor.

The flare is an essential safety device that is designed:

• To protect our community and employees from exposure to pollutants
• To protect equipment from catastrophic failure (pressure relief)
• With safety front of mind: Flares are big enough to handle the largest release

What do you see when you notice a flare? At Dow, we aim to minimize the impact to the community when we operate our safety devices. If you are near the plant during flaring activity, you may notice:

• Light – Besides the flame itself, you will notice an orange glow surrounding the flame as well.
• Smoke – Only when necessary, smoke may be visible from the flare. This occurs at instances when there is a loss of steam to the tip of the flare due to a power interruption.
• Noise – The gases are mixed with steam and air at high volumes and velocities which cause an audible rumbling sound.

What's going on when you see a burning flare?

The flares are a permitted air pollution control device used as an outlet to burn excess gas during normal operations, maintenance activities, and partial or complete production unit startup and shutdown. In these scenarios, equipment and piping can become over-pressured. Then, the excess gas is released through pressure relief valves and sent to the flare stack through piping. The burning of the flare ensures the continued safe operations of the plant under all conditions.

For information on the July 14, 2023 incident at the Glycol 2 facility, please visit the following link, July 2023 LAO incident.