60 years ago, Dow Benelux was officially established in Terneuzen. What began in 1965 with 275 employees has grown into the largest Dow site outside the US and the second largest worldwide.
The Terneuzen site was officially opened on 24 May 1965 by Prince Bernhard, who symbolically established contact with Dow headquarters in Midland, US, via a telex link. However, the choice of Terneuzen was already made in 1961, when Dow representatives visited the Nieuw-Neuzen polder together with local and national administrators. Dow chose this location because of the ample available land suitable for industrial production. The favourable investment climate in the Netherlands, the talent available in the region and the strategic location on the Westerschelde river also played an important role, as this was essential for the efficient supply and removal of raw materials and finished products. What started in 1965 with 275 employees and a few factories has grown into an organisation with over 3,600 employees and 16 factories on a 440-hectare site.
‘This milestone is a moment of pride,’ says Tabita Verburg, Area President Benelux. "Pride in what we have achieved as an organisation, but especially pride in our people. Every day we make an impact - as the largest employer in the region, as a partner in the community and as a driving force of innovation and sustainability. And we are working hard to create the right conditions for at least another 60 years of Dow in Terneuzen.”
Dow Terneuzen produces over 800 different products that are used worldwide," says Jaume Sariol, Site Leader Terneuzen and VP EMEAI Operations. "These are building blocks for thousands of everyday goods - from shoes and cars to smartphones, packaging materials, pharmaceuticals and insulation materials, paints, and hygiene products. On average, you come into contact with something made here about 60 times each day. That emphasises how important our site is, not only in size, but also in impact. And safety comes first in everything we do, for our people, our surroundings and the environment."
With more than 50 nationalities, Dow is a diverse and inclusive community. The organisation actively invests in safety, livability and education in the region, through volunteering, donation programmes and collaborations with schools and universities, amongst others. Dow looks ahead with a clear ambition: to continue to contribute to a strong, innovative and future-proof industry and region.
About Dow
Dow is one of the world's leading materials science companies, serving customers in fast-growing markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Thanks to global width, integration and scale of assets, focused innovation, leading business positions, and a commitment to sustainability, Dow is able to achieve profitable growth and contribute to a sustainable future. DOW has production sites in 30 countries and employs around 36,000 people. More information about the company can be found at dow.com.
