Dow Ludington in 1942			Dow Ludington Today

Dow has produced Calcium Chloride in Ludington since 1942. We are grateful for the support of our community and the contributions of our employees and retirees, which have enabled our longevity and prosperity. The following timeline celebrates our past achievements against our commitments to community success, human health and safety, environmental stewardship, economic prosperity and growth. In this same proud tradition, we look forward to a future filled with progress and continuing to deliver against these commitments.

Read more about our history by downloading our Brochure

Key Milestones in Our History
1942	U.S. Defense Plant Corporation opens the Ludington plant to manufacture magnesium as part of the war effort.  The Dow Magnesium Corporation, a division of The Dow Chemical Company, is contracted to build and operate the plant.  Brine well drilling begins throughout Mason County.
1944	Magnesium manufacturing is curtailed by the U.S. Defense Plant Corporation, which stops manufacturing at the Ludington plant.
1945	The Dow Chemical Company leases the plant from the U.S. government and resumes operations of the facility.
1947	Dow purchases the Ludington plant.
1949	The Bromine manufacturing plant begins operation, expanding Dow’s product line.
1950	Liquidow™ liquid calcium chloride is introduced to the market.
1950	Peladow™ calcium chloride pellets are introduced to the market.
1951	The magnesium chloride flake plant begins operation.
1970	Dow converts the energy source for its powerhouse and lime plants from fuel oil to natural gas, thereby reducing emissions.
1982	A new PELADOW™ calcium chloride plant is constructed using innovative spray-drying technology.
1985	Dow closes its Midland, Michigan Brine Operations, consolidating all brine operations to Ludington.
1986	DOWFLAKE™ calcium chloride plant is constructed in Ludington to replace the idled Midland plant.
1995	Dow closes its 50-year-old powerhouse, thereby reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.
1997	The Dow Chemical Company celebrates its 100th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of operations at the Ludington Plant.
2000	Dow ends lime production at the Ludington site, thereby reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.
2002	Dow signs a long-term brine purchase agreement with Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties LLC.
2003	MTD Pipeline, a joint venture between Dow and Martin Marietta, constructs a 27-mile pipeline to deliver brine to Dow’s Ludington plant from Martin Marietta’s plant in Manistee, Michigan.
2003	Dow closes its magnesium hydroxide plant and related brine production facilities at Ludington.
2006	Dow closes its bromine and bromine derivative plant at Ludington, ending 112 years of manufacturing these products.
2006	Dow introduces DOWFLAKE™ Xtra 83-88% calcium chloride to the market.
2007	DOWFLAKE™ Xtra plant expansion begins operations.
2007	Dow celebrates 100 years in the Calcium Chloride business.

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