According to Dow Chemical Company, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is continuing to impact several of its sites and its wholly owned subsidiary, Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), in Louisiana. Issues such as the availability of power, utilities, raw materials and transportation pose particular challenges.

Two key factors influencing how quickly these sites return to normal operations will be access to raw materials and the ability to transport products to customers. The logistics infrastructure across the affected region remains disrupted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina - causing severe problems to the transport of products.

UCC's St. Charles Operations in Hahnville, which underwent a controlled shutdown in anticipation of the hurricane, remains closed. Recovery efforts are continuing and the site appears to have suffered no structural damage. The timing of return to normal operations has not been determined, although Dow said it continues to expect that it is to be weeks before normal operations resume.

Dow's Louisiana Operations in Plaquemine were less severely impacted and most of the site's production units are operational, although some are running at reduced rates.

Dow has also announced that it will contribute $3 million to the hurricane relief funds, including an immediate $1 million cash donation to the American Red Cross.