10-KPeriod: FY2020

DOW INC. Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2020

Filed February 5, 2021For Securities:DOW

Summary

Dow Inc. reported net sales of $38.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020. The company experienced a 10% decrease in net sales compared to 2019, primarily driven by the global economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a 7% decrease in local price and a 3% decrease in volume. Despite these challenges, Dow demonstrated resilience by maintaining operations at most manufacturing sites and implementing cost-saving measures, including a 6% global workforce reduction as part of its 2020 Restructuring Program targeting over $300 million in annualized Operating EBITDA benefit. The company's strategic focus remains on innovation, customer centricity, and sustainability. Key segments like Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings are focused on high-growth market segments. Dow is also advancing its sustainability goals, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and enable a circular economy for plastics. The outlook for 2021 indicates expectations for continued recovery and profitable growth, supported by an improving cost structure and disciplined capital allocation.

Financial Statements
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Key Highlights

  • 1Dow Inc. reported net sales of $38.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, a 10% decrease from $43.0 billion in 2019, primarily due to COVID-19 impacts affecting prices and volumes.
  • 2The company implemented a 2020 Restructuring Program targeting over $300 million in annualized Operating EBITDA benefit by the end of 2021, including a 6% global workforce reduction.
  • 3Dow maintained strong liquidity, with $14.6 billion in cash and committed liquidity at December 31, 2020, and no substantive long-term debt maturities until the second half of 2024.
  • 4The company advanced its sustainability initiatives, including efforts to reduce carbon emissions and enable a circular economy for plastics through partnerships and new product development.
  • 5Key segments like Packaging & Specialty Plastics and Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure showed signs of recovery in the latter half of 2020, with positive sequential sales growth.
  • 6Capital expenditures were reduced to $1.25 billion in 2020 to preserve cash, with plans for $1.6 billion in 2021, adjusted for economic conditions.
  • 7Dow announced a 'Digital Acceleration' plan in January 2021 to invest in digital tools for innovation, e-commerce, and manufacturing insights, expecting over $300 million in incremental annual run rate Operating EBITDA by 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2020, Dow reported net sales of $38.5 billion, a 10% decrease from 2019. This was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted global economies and led to a 7% decrease in local prices and a 3% decrease in volume. Despite the challenges, Dow maintained operations at most manufacturing sites and implemented cost-saving measures, showing resilience.

Dow's strategic priorities include being the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive, and sustainable materials science company. The company is focused on high-growth market segments within its Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings segments. Dow expects continued recovery and profitable growth in 2021, driven by an improving cost structure and disciplined capital allocation, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and digital transformation.

Dow is committed to advancing its sustainability goals, including reducing carbon emissions and enabling a circular economy for plastics. In 2020, the company announced targets to reduce net annual carbon emissions by 5 million metric tons by 2030 and aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. Initiatives include increasing energy efficiency, investing in renewable power, exploring carbon capture technologies, and incorporating recycled and renewable feedstocks into its production processes.