424B5 1 d767462d424b5.htm 424B5 424B5
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-265556-01

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, dated February 7, 2024

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated June 13, 2022)

$

LOGO

The Dow Chemical Company

$     % Notes due 20

$     % Notes due 20

 

The Dow Chemical Company (“TDCC”) is offering $    aggregate principal amount of  % notes due 20  (the “20  notes”) and $    aggregate principal amount of  % notes due 20  (the “20  notes” and, together with the 20  notes, the “notes”). Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on      and      of each year, beginning     , 2024. The 20  notes will mature on     , 20  and the 20  notes will mature on     , 20 . We may redeem the notes of either series at our option, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at the applicable redemption prices set forth under “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.” If we experience a change of control repurchase event with respect to a series of notes, we may be required to offer to purchase the notes of such series from holders as described under “Description of the Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.”

The notes will be TDCC’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of TDCC’s other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes of each series will be issued only in registered form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

TDCC intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, existing and/or future Eligible Green Projects (as defined below). See “Use of Proceeds.”

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange, and there are currently no public markets for the notes.

 

 

Investing in the notes involves risks that are described or referred to in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-6.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Per
 20  Note 
       Total      Per
 20  Note 
     Total  

Public offering price(1)

     %       $        %    $    

Underwriting discount

     %       $         %    $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us(1)

     %       $        %    $    

 

(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from     , 2024 to the date of delivery.

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to investors in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company and its participants, including Clearstream Banking S.A., and Euroclear Bank SA/NV against payment on or about    , 2024.

 

Joint Book Runners

 

BofA Securities

   Citigroup    HSBC    ING    SMBC Nikko

Co-Managers

 

Academy Securities

   Blaylock Van, LLC    R. Seelaus & Co., LLC   Ramirez & Co., Inc.   Siebert Williams Shank

 

 

   , 2024


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

    

Page

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

     S-I  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-II  

SUMMARY

     S-1  

RISK FACTORS

     S-6  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-12  

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

     S-16  

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     S-28  

UNDERWRITING

     S-34  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     S-41  

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-42  

EXPERTS

     S-42  

Prospectus

 

   

Page

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    2  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

    3  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    4  

THE COMPANY

    5  

RISK FACTORS

    6  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    7  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF DOW INC.

    8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES OF DOW INC.

    15  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF DOW INC.

    18  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

    29  

DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES OF DOW INC.

    40  

DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

    41  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS OF DOW INC.

    42  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

    44  

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS OF DOW INC.

    46  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    47  

LEGAL MATTERS

    48  

EXPERTS

    48  


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is comprised of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which contains the terms of this offering of notes and other information. The second part is the accompanying prospectus dated June 13, 2022, which is part of our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-265556-01) and contains more general information, some of which does not apply to this offering.

This prospectus supplement may add to, update or change the information in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with information in the accompanying prospectus, this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede that information in the accompanying prospectus.

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation that is different from, or in addition to, those contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, nor any sale made hereunder, shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus supplement, or that the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information.

The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or an invitation on our behalf or the underwriters or any of them, to subscribe for or purchase any of the notes, and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. See “Underwriting.”

In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” refer to The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “Dow” refer collectively to Dow Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including The Dow Chemical Company. References to “Dow Inc.” refer to The Dow Chemical Company’s parent company, which has its common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DOW,” not including its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “TDCC” refer to The Dow Chemical Company only. If we use a capitalized term in this prospectus supplement and do not define the term in this document, it is defined in the accompanying prospectus.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, financial condition, and other matters, and often contain words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “would” and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words or phrases.

Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond Dow’s control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date the statements were made. These factors include, but are not limited to: sales of Dow’s products; Dow’s expenses, future revenues and profitability; any global and regional economic impacts of a pandemic or other public health-related risks and events on Dow’s business; any sanctions, export restrictions, supply chain disruptions or increased economic uncertainty related to the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; capital requirements and need for and availability of financing; unexpected barriers in the development of technology, including with respect to Dow’s contemplated capital and operating projects; Dow’s ability to realize its commitment to carbon neutrality on the contemplated timeframe, including the completion and success of its integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives facility in Alberta, Canada; size of the markets for Dow’s products and services and ability to compete in such markets; failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; the rate and degree of market acceptance of Dow’s products; significant litigation and environmental matters and related contingencies and unexpected expenses; the success of competing technologies that are or may become available; the ability to protect Dow’s intellectual property in the United States and abroad; developments related to contemplated restructuring activities and proposed divestitures or acquisitions such as workforce reduction, manufacturing facility and/or asset closure and related exit and disposal activities, and the benefits and costs associated with each of the foregoing; fluctuations in energy and raw material prices; management of process safety and product stewardship; changes in relationships with Dow’s significant customers and suppliers; changes in public sentiment and political leadership; increased concerns about plastics in the environment and lack of a circular economy for plastics at scale; changes in consumer preferences and demand; changes in laws and regulations, political conditions or industry development; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, market uncertainty, interest and currency exchange rates, and equity and commodity prices; business or supply disruptions; security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; weather events and natural disasters; disruptions in Dow’s information technology networks and systems, including the impact of cyberattacks; and risks related to Dow’s separation from DowDuPont Inc. such as Dow’s obligation to indemnify DuPont de Nemours, Inc. and/or Corteva, Inc. for certain liabilities.

Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A. of Dow’s and TDCC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that Dow faces. There may be other risks and uncertainties that Dow is unable to identify at this time or that Dow does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. If any of those risks or uncertainties develops into an actual event, it could have a material adverse effect on Dow’s business. Dow and TDCC assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities and other applicable laws.

 

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SUMMARY

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements (including the notes thereto) appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that are incorporated herein by reference. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read the entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents that we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated herein by reference, including the financial statements and notes thereto, before making an investment decision. Please see “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

Dow is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow’s global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enables Dow to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. Dow operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,900 people. In 2023, Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion.

Dow’s principal executive offices are located at 2211 H.H. Dow Way, Midland, Michigan 48674. Our telephone number is (989) 636-1000. Our Internet website address is www.dow.com. The information on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider them to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Dow conducts its worldwide operations through global businesses which are reflected in the following reportable segments:

Packaging & Specialty Plastics

The Packaging & Specialty Plastics operating segment consists of two highly integrated global businesses: Hydrocarbons & Energy and Packaging and Specialty Plastics. The segment employs the industry’s broadest polyolefin product portfolio, supported by the Company’s proprietary catalyst and manufacturing process technologies. These differentiators, plus collaboration at the customer’s design table, enable the segment to deliver more reliable, durable, higher-performing solutions designed for recyclability and enhanced plastics circularity and sustainability. The segment serves customers, brand owners and ultimately consumers in key markets including food and specialty packaging; industrial and consumer packaging; health and hygiene; caps, closures and pipe applications; consumer durables; mobility and transportation; and infrastructure. This segment includes Dow’s share of the results of The Kuwait Styrene Company K.S.C.C. and The SCGC-Dow Group, as well as a portion of Dow’s share of the results of EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C.C. (“EQUATE”), The Kuwait Olefins Company K.S.C.C. (“TKOC”), Map Ta Phut Olefins Company Limited (“Map Ta Phut”) and Sadara Chemical Company (“Sadara”), which are all joint ventures of the Company.

Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure

The Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure operating segment consists of two customer-centric global businesses—Industrial Solutions and Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals—that develop important intermediate chemicals that are essential to manufacturing processes, as well as downstream, customized materials and formulations that use advanced development technologies.

 

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These businesses primarily produce and market ethylene oxide and propylene oxide derivatives that are aligned to market segments as diverse as appliances, coatings, furniture and bedding, construction, mobility and automotive, electronics, surfactants for cleaning and sanitization, infrastructure and oil and gas. The businesses’ global scale and reach, world-class technology, research and development capabilities and materials science expertise enable the Company to be a premier solutions provider offering customers value-added sustainable solutions to enhance comfort, energy efficiency, product effectiveness and durability. This segment includes a portion of the Company’s share of the results of EQUATE, TKOC, Map Ta Phut and Sadara.

Performance Materials & Coatings

The Performance Materials & Coatings operating segment includes industry-leading franchises that deliver a wide array of solutions into consumer, infrastructure and mobility end-markets. The segment consists of two global businesses: Coatings & Performance Monomers and Consumer Solutions. These businesses primarily utilize the Company’s acrylics-, cellulosics- and silicone-based technology platforms to serve the needs of the architectural and industrial coatings; home care and personal care; consumer and electronics; mobility and transportation; industrial and chemical processing; and building and infrastructure end-markets. Both businesses employ materials science capabilities, global reach and unique products and technology combining chemistry platforms to deliver differentiated, market-driven and sustainable innovations to customers.

Corporate

Corporate includes certain enterprise and governance activities (including insurance operations, environmental operations, etc.); non-business aligned joint ventures; non-business aligned litigation expenses; and discontinued or non-aligned businesses.

 

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The Offering

The following is a summary of the terms of this offering of the notes. For a more complete description, see “Description of the Notes” in this prospectus supplement.

 

Issuer  

The Dow Chemical Company.

Notes Offered  

$  million aggregate principal amount of  % notes due 20 .

 

$  million aggregate principal amount of  % notes due 20 .

Maturity Dates  

The 20  notes will mature on     , 20   and the 20  notes will mature on     , 20  , unless, in each case, redeemed earlier by TDCC as described in “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.”

Interest Payment Dates  

Interest on the notes will accrue from    , 2024 at the rate of  % per year, in the case of the 20  notes, and  % per year, in the case of the 20  notes. Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on     and     of each year, beginning     , 2024.

Ranking  

The notes will be TDCC’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of TDCC’s senior unsecured debt from time to time outstanding. The notes will be structurally subordinated to any liabilities of TDCC’s subsidiaries, including trade payables. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $15,086 million of indebtedness outstanding on a consolidated basis, of which $1,479 million of subsidiary indebtedness would be structurally senior to the notes. See “Description of the Notes—General.”

 

The notes will be obligations of TDCC only, and on the issue date, will not be, directly or indirectly, guaranteed by Dow Inc. The notes will be guaranteed by Dow Inc. only if Dow Inc. is required to do so under the circumstances described in “Description of the Notes—Guarantee Covenant.” If Dow Inc. is required to guarantee the notes, such guarantees will be senior unsecured obligations of Dow Inc. and will rank equal in right of payment to Dow Inc.’s other senior unsecured debt from time to time outstanding. At December 31, 2023, Dow Inc. had no indebtedness outstanding.

Optional Redemption  

Prior to    , (  months prior to the maturity date of the 20  notes) (the “20  notes par call date”), in the case of the 20  notes, or   , (  months prior to the maturity date of the 20  notes), in the case of the 20  notes, (the “20  notes par call date” and each of the 20  notes par call date and the 20  notes par call date, a “par call date”), TDCC may redeem the notes of the applicable series at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price

 

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(expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

 

(1)  (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the notes of the applicable series matured on the applicable par call date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus  basis points, in the case of the 20  notes, or  basis points, in the case of the 20  notes, less (b) interest accrued to the redemption date, and

 

(2)  100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed,

 

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.

 

On and after the applicable par call date, TDCC may redeem the notes of the applicable series, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. See “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.”

Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Upon a Change of
Control Repurchase Event
 

 

If TDCC experiences a “Change of Control Repurchase Event” (as defined below) with respect to a series of notes, TDCC will be required, unless it has exercised its right to redeem such notes, to offer to purchase the notes of such series at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date.

Use of Proceeds  

TDCC intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, existing and/or future Eligible Green Projects (as defined below). Pending the full allocation of an amount equivalent to the net proceeds, TDCC may manage the net proceeds in accordance with Dow’s normal treasury process until fully allocated to Eligible Green Projects. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Further Issues  

TDCC may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of the notes of either series, create and issue additional debt securities having the same terms (except for the issue date and, in some cases, the public offering price and the first interest payment date) and ranking equally and ratably with the notes of a series offered hereby, as described under “Description of the Notes—Further Issues.” Any additional debt securities having such similar terms, together with the notes of such series offered hereby, will constitute a single series under the Indenture (as defined below).

 

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Form and Denomination  

TDCC will issue the notes of each series in the form of one or more fully registered global notes registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). Beneficial interests in the notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”) and Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) will hold interests on behalf of their participants through their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in accounts as participants of DTC. Except in the limited circumstances described in this prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interests in the notes will not be entitled to have notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive notes in definitive form and will not be considered holders of notes under the Indenture. The notes of each series will be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Risk Factors  

Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” and other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of certain factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the notes.

Trustee  

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

Governing Law  

State of New York.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the notes involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described below and under “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of the combined Dow Inc. and TDCC Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as they may be amended, updated or modified in our reports filed with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference herein, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The risks and uncertainties referred to above and described below are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or those we currently deem immaterial, may also become important and material factors that affect us. If any of the following risks and uncertainties develops into actual events, our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations could be materially adversely affected and you could lose all or part of your original investment. Some factors in this section are “forward-looking statements.” For a discussion of those statements and of other factors for investors to consider, see “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”

RISKS RELATING TO THE NOTES

The notes are unsecured and will be effectively subordinated to TDCC’s secured creditors and will be structurally subordinated to the existing and future liabilities of TDCC’s subsidiaries.

The notes are senior unsecured obligations of TDCC and will rank equally in right of payment to TDCC’s other senior unsecured debt from time to time outstanding. The notes are not secured by any of TDCC’s assets. Any future claims of secured lenders with respect to assets securing their loans will be prior to any claim of the holders of the notes with respect to those assets.

The notes are not obligations of Dow Inc., are not secured by any of Dow Inc.’s assets and will not be guaranteed by Dow Inc. unless Dow Inc. issues a guarantee in respect of outstanding or committed indebtedness under TDCC’s Revolving Credit Facility Agreement (as defined below) or any replacement facility. See “Description of the Notes—Guarantee Covenant.”

The notes are not obligations of, are not secured by any of the assets of, and will not be guaranteed by, any of TDCC’s subsidiaries and are structurally subordinated to any existing or future preferred stock, indebtedness, guarantees and other liabilities of TDCC’s subsidiaries. TDCC’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities from TDCC. TDCC’s subsidiaries have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes or to provide TDCC with funds to meet its payment obligations on the notes, whether in the form of dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. In addition, any payment of dividends, loans or advances by TDCC’s subsidiaries could be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. Payments to TDCC by its subsidiaries will also be contingent upon the subsidiaries’ earnings and business considerations. TDCC’s right to receive any assets of any of its subsidiaries upon their bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of the holders of the notes to participate in those assets, will be structurally subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors. In addition, even if TDCC is a creditor of any of its subsidiaries, its right as a creditor would be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of its subsidiaries and any indebtedness of its subsidiaries senior to that held by TDCC. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $15,086 million of indebtedness outstanding on a consolidated basis, of which $1,479 million of subsidiary indebtedness would be structurally senior to the notes.

TDCC’s credit ratings may not reflect all risks of your investment in the notes.

TDCC’s credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of its ability to pay debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in TDCC’s credit ratings will generally affect the market values of the notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to

 

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structures or marketing of the notes. Agency ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s rating.

If you are able to resell your notes, many other factors may affect the prices you receive, which may be lower than you believe to be appropriate.

If you are able to resell your notes, the prices you receive will depend on many other factors that may vary over time, including:

 

   

Dow’s financial performance;

 

   

the amount of indebtedness Dow has outstanding;

 

   

the market for similar securities;

 

   

market interest rates;

 

   

the redemption (if any) and repayment features of the notes to be sold; and

 

   

the time remaining to maturity of your notes.

As a result of these factors, you may only be able to sell your notes at prices below those you believe to be appropriate, including prices below the price you paid for them.

Additionally, market prices may also be impacted by any failure by us to use the aggregated net proceeds of the notes on Eligible Green Projects or to meet or continue to meet the investment requirements of certain environmentally focused investors with respect to the notes.

If active trading markets do not develop for the notes, you may be unable to sell your notes or to sell your notes at prices that you deem sufficient.

Each series of notes is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We have not applied and do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. We have been informed by the underwriters that they intend to make markets in the notes after the offering is completed. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so and may discontinue their market making activities at any time without notice. We cannot assure the liquidity of the trading markets for the notes or that active public markets for the notes will develop. If active public trading markets for the notes do not develop, the market prices and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. If the notes are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering prices, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our operating performance and financial condition, general economic conditions and other factors. Moreover, the condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future, which could have an adverse effect on the market prices of the notes. As a result, there can be no assurance that active trading markets will develop for the notes or be maintained for the notes. To the extent active trading markets do not develop or are not sustained, you may not be able to resell your notes at their fair market value or at all.

TDCC may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control.

Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events with respect to any series of notes, unless TDCC has exercised its right to redeem such notes, each holder of such notes will have the right to require TDCC to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date. If TDCC

 

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experiences a Change of Control Repurchase Event, there can be no assurance that we would have sufficient financial resources available for TDCC to satisfy its obligations to repurchase any series of notes. TDCC’s failure to repurchase any series of notes as required under the Indenture would result in a default under the Indenture, which could have material adverse consequences for Dow and the holders of the notes. See “Description of the Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.”

The Indenture does not restrict the amount of additional debt that TDCC and its subsidiaries may incur.

The notes and Indenture under which the notes will be issued do not place any limitation on the amount of unsecured debt that may be incurred by TDCC’s or its subsidiaries in the future. TDCC’s or their incurrence of additional debt may have important consequences for you as a holder of the notes, including making it more difficult for TDCC to satisfy its obligations with respect to the notes, a loss in the trading value of your notes, if any, and a risk that the credit rating of the notes is lowered or withdrawn.

We expect that the trading prices of the notes will be significantly affected by changes in the interest rate environment which could change substantially at any time.

We expect that the trading prices of the notes will depend on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the interest rate environment. Any of these factors may be volatile, and may or may not be within our control.

If interest rates, or expected future interest rates, rise during the term of the notes, the trading prices of the notes will likely decrease. Because interest rates and interest rate expectations are influenced by a wide variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that changes in interest rates or interest rate expectations will not adversely affect the trading prices of the notes.

There can be no assurance that the anticipated use of proceeds of the notes to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, Eligible Green Projects will be suitable for the investment criteria of an investor.

We intend to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, one or more new or existing Eligible Green Projects, but no assurance can be given that any such Eligible Green Projects will be capable of being implemented or implemented substantially, or that such Eligible Green Projects will be completed within any specified time period or at all or with the results or outcome as originally expected or anticipated. The examples of Eligible Green Projects set forth in “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement are for illustrative purposes only, and no assurance can be provided that disbursements for projects with these specific characteristics will be made by us with the net proceeds from the notes. For the avoidance of doubt, the Framework (as defined below) is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into and/or form part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

We have significant flexibility in allocating the net proceeds from the sale of the notes, and there can be no assurance that such proceeds will be totally or partially disbursed for financing or refinancing any such Eligible Green Projects. No underwriter for this offering nor the trustee under the Indenture or the notes is responsible for assessing or verifying whether or not the Eligible Green Projects to which we allocate the net proceeds from this offering meet the criteria described in “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement, or for the monitoring of the use of proceeds. Neither the terms of the notes nor the Indenture require us to use the proceeds as described under “Use of Proceeds” and any failure by us to comply with the anticipated use of proceeds or to comply with the tracking, reporting and other undertakings described thereunder will not (i) constitute a breach or an event of default, (ii) give rise to

 

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any other claim of a holder of the notes or (iii) require us to purchase or redeem any notes, in each case of (i) through (iii), under the notes or the Indenture. The description in “Use of Proceeds” of the intended use of the net proceeds from the sale of the notes is not intended to modify or add any covenant or other contractual obligation undertaken by us under the notes or the Indenture governing the notes. Our management will retain broad discretion as to the allocation of the net proceeds from the offering of the notes.

Additionally, any information that TDCC provides concerning the environmental impacts of the use of the net proceeds will be estimates determined by its management to the best of its ability based on the information available to it at such time. The determinations giving rise to such impact information are inherently imprecise and should not be taken as statements of fact.

Prospective investors should carefully review the information set out in this prospectus supplement regarding such use of the net proceeds and must determine for themselves the relevance of such information for the purpose of any investment in the notes together with any other investigation such investor deems necessary. In particular, no assurance is given by us, any underwriter or the trustee that the use of such net proceeds to fund any Eligible Green Projects will satisfy (or will continue to satisfy), whether in whole or in part, any present or future investor expectations, requirements, taxonomies, standards, or other investment criteria, or guidelines with which such investor or its investments are required to comply, whether by any present or future applicable laws or regulations or by its own governing rules or investment portfolio mandates, ratings mandates or criteria, taxonomies, or standards, or other independent expectations, in particular with regard to any direct or indirect environmental impact of any projects or uses, the subject of or related to, any Eligible Green Projects. Any failure by us to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance one or more Eligible Green Projects, or the failure of those investments or financings to satisfy investor expectations or requirements, could have a material adverse effect on the market prices of the notes and/or result in adverse consequences for certain investors with mandates to invest in securities to be used for a particular purpose.

The value of the notes may be negatively affected to the extent that perception by investors of the suitability of the notes as “green” bonds deteriorates or demand for environmental-themed investment products diminishes.

Perception by investors of the suitability of the notes as “green” bonds could be negatively affected by dissatisfaction with our compliance with the Framework (as defined below) for determining Eligible Green Projects described under “Use of Proceeds,” controversies involving the environmental impact of our business or industry, evolving standards or market consensus as to what constitutes a “green” bond or the desirability of investing in “green” bonds or any opinion or certification as to the suitability of the notes as “green” bonds no longer being in effect. Additionally, the Eligible Green Projects to which we intend to allocate the net proceeds of the notes may have complex direct or indirect environmental impacts, and adverse environmental impacts may occur during the design, construction and operation of such Eligible Green Projects. Such Eligible Green Projects may become controversial or criticized by activist groups or other stakeholders. No representation is made by us, any underwriter, the trustee or any other person as to the suitability of the notes to meet or fulfill environmental criteria, expectations, impact or performance required by prospective investors, any third-party reviewer or opinion provider, any stock exchange or securities market. The value of the notes may be negatively affected to the extent investors are required or choose to sell their holdings due to deterioration in the perception by the investor or the market in general as to the suitability of this offering as “green” bonds. The value of the notes may be also negatively affected to the extent demand for environmental-themed investment products diminishes due to evolving investor preferences, increased regulatory or market scrutiny on funds and strategies dedicated to environmental-themed investing or for other reasons.

 

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There is no legal, regulatory, or market definition of or standardized criteria for what constitutes a “green” or other equivalently labeled project, and any such designations made by third parties with respect to the notes may not be suitable for the investment criteria of an investor.

There is currently no clear definition (legal, regulatory, or otherwise) of, nor market consensus as to what constitutes, a “green” or an equivalently labeled project, or as to what precise attributes are required for a particular project to be defined as “green” or such other equivalent label, nor can any assurance be given that such a clear definition or consensus will develop over time or, if such definition or consensus develops in the future, that the Eligible Green Projects will meet such criteria. Accordingly, although we anticipate that our green Eligible Green Projects will be aligned with the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles (as of June 2021 with June 2022 Appendix 1) and Green Loan Principles issued by the Loan Market Association, the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association, and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (as of February 2023), no assurance is or can be given to investors that any Eligible Green Projects selected to receive an allocation of funds from the net proceeds from this offering will meet any or all investor expectations regarding such “green” or other equivalently labeled performance objectives, or that any adverse environmental and/or other impacts will not occur during the implementation of any Eligible Green Projects financed or refinanced, in whole or in part, by the net proceeds from this offering.

No assurance or representation is given as to the suitability or reliability for any purpose whatsoever of any opinion or certification of any third party (whether or not solicited by us), including any second party opinion such as the SPO (as defined below) discussed under “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement, that may be made available in connection with the issuance of the notes and, in particular, with respect to whether any Eligible Green Projects fulfill any environmental and/or other criteria. For the avoidance of doubt, any such opinion or certification is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into and/or form part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Any such opinion or certification is not, nor should be deemed to be, a recommendation by us or any underwriter, or any other person, to buy, sell, or hold the notes. Any such opinion or certification is only current as of the date that opinion or certification was initially issued. Prospective investors must determine for themselves the relevance of any such opinion or certification and/or the information contained therein and/or the provider of such opinion or certification for the purpose of any investment in the notes. The providers of such opinions and certifications are not currently subject to any specific regulatory or other regime or oversight. Any withdrawal of any such opinion or certification or any additional opinion or certification attesting that we are not complying in whole or in part with any matters for which such opinion or certification is opining or certifying may have a material adverse effect on the value of the notes and/or result in adverse consequences for certain investors with mandates to invest in securities to be used for a particular purpose.

We do not intend to list the notes on, and the notes may never be listed or admitted to, any dedicated “green,” “environmental” or other equivalently-labeled segment of any stock exchange or securities market or included in any green bond or similar index, and any such potential listing, admission, or inclusion may not be indicative that the notes will be suitable for the investment criteria of an investor.

We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed or admitted to trading on any dedicated “green,” “environmental” or other equivalently-labeled segment of any stock exchange or securities market (whether or not regulated) or included in any green bond or similar index. Moreover, even if the notes were in the future to be listed or admitted to trading on any such segment of a stock exchange,

 

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securities market or other trading platform, no representation or assurance can be given by TDCC, any underwriter, the trustee or any other person:

•  that such listing, admission, or inclusion would satisfy (or would continue to satisfy), whether in whole or in part, any present or future investor expectations or requirements, taxonomies, or standards or other investment criteria or guidelines with which such investor or its investments are required to comply, whether by any present or future applicable laws or regulations or by such investor’s own governing documents or rules or investment portfolio mandates, ratings mandates, or other expectations, in particular with regard to any direct or indirect environmental impact of any projects or uses, the subject of or related to, any Eligible Green Projects (and it should be noted that the criteria for any such listing or admission to trading or for inclusion in an index may vary from one stock exchange, securities market, or index to another); or

•  that any such listing or admission to trading or inclusion in any index will be maintained during the life of the notes.

In the event that the notes are listed on any such dedicated “green,” “environmental” or other equivalently-labeled segment of any stock exchange or securities market or included in any such index, any change to such listing or admission status of the notes or their inclusion in any such index, including, but not limited to, if the notes are no longer being listed or admitted to trading on any such segment of any stock exchange or securities market or included in any index, may have a material adverse effect on the value of the notes and/or result in adverse consequences for certain investors with mandates to invest in securities to be used for a particular purpose.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $    , after deducting underwriting discounts and our offering expenses. We intend to allocate an amount equivalent to the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, any existing or new green projects, assets, or activities that meet the eligibility criteria described below (such projects, “Eligible Green Projects”). Pending the full allocation of an amount equivalent to the net proceeds, we may manage the net proceeds in accordance with Dow’s normal treasury process until fully allocated to Eligible Green Projects.

Eligibility Criteria

Expenditures for Eligible Green Projects may include capital and operational expenditures supporting assets, investments, acquisitions as well as late-stage research and development associated with the eligibility criteria outlined below, made from the issuance date of the notes or in the two years prior to the issuance date of the notes.

Energy Efficiency

Expenditures related to energy efficiency improvements and/or retrofits yielding energy savings and/or greenhouse gas (the “GHG”) reduction by at least 10% on a unitized basis, such as metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent per metric ton of product. This excludes improvements directly related to final products and services for the oil and gas industry.

Renewable Energy

Expenditures related to:

•  Development, acquisition and operation of wind and solar photovoltaic (the “PV”) projects; and

•  Long-term (more than 5 years) project-specific power purchase agreements (the “PPAs”) or virtual PPAs for wind and solar PV projects.

Decarbonization

Expenditures related to:

•  Construction, development, and expansion of assets and infrastructure for carbon capture and storage (the “CCS”) connected to Dow sites. Dow does not intend to manage the carbon sequestration, transportation and storage activities. Captured CO2 will not be used for enhanced oil recovery operations; and

•  Development, implementation and retrofitting of novel technologies for decarbonization (Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions) of cracker facilities (e.g., electrification, energy optimization and technologies that enable a CCS), such as

  o

Expenditures related to the construction, development, expansion, retrofitting, production, acquisition, maintenance, research and development, and operation of cracker facilities with decarbonization technologies, including expenditures related to our integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives site in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada (construction expected to begin in 2024).

 

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Circular Economy Adapted Products, Production Technologies and Processes, and/or Certified Eco-Efficient Products

Expenditures and investments related to:

•  Sourcing of post-industrial or post-consumer waste for the manufacturing of circular materials;

•  Sourcing of bio-derived cracker feedstocks certified according to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS or similar sustainability standard;

•  Sourcing of other bio-derived materials certified according to best-available sustainability certification, including REDcert, RSB Advanced Products scheme and the Ecoloop scheme; and

•  Development, manufacturing and commercialization of waste- and bio-based products and solutions related to mechanical recycling, dissolution recycling, and advanced recycling. Examples of non-eligible activities in this category are research, marketing, distribution and those targeting the improvement of a product’s longevity, durability or biodegradability.

Regarding bio-derived feedstocks from agriculture, this category will only consider expenditures and investments related to sourcing of non-edible agricultural waste. Regarding non-waste forest materials, only those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (or equivalent standards like Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) are eligible.

Process for Eligible Green Project Evaluation and Selection

Dow has established a process to determine the eligibility of potential projects in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined above. The governing body of this process is Dow’s Sustainable Financing Committee (the “Committee”), and it is responsible for evaluating and approving Eligible Green Projects, proposed proceeds allocation, as well as confirming appropriate impact indicators to prepare the impact report discussed in this section below under “Reporting.” The Committee is composed of senior members of the following functions of Dow: Finance, Investor Relations, Treasury, Legal, Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability and Public Affairs. Additional functions and subject matter experts may be included as needed. The Committee will meet at least on an annual basis.

In addition to evaluating and approving Eligible Green Projects, proposed proceeds allocations, and confirming impact indicators for the impact report, the Committee is also responsible for:

•  Monitoring Eligible Green Projects throughout their lifespan;

•  Reviewing the content of the Framework (as defined below) and updating it, as needed, to reflect changes in corporate strategy, technology, market or regulatory developments, such as but not limited to regional market-based taxonomies, on a best effort basis; and

•  Replacing those projects that no longer comply with the eligibility criteria, as soon as practicable and if reasonably feasible.

Dow’s sustainability policies, guidelines and commitments will apply to Eligible Green Projects in an effort to ensure that environmental and social risks that could be potentially associated with any Eligible Green Projects are properly assessed, mitigated and monitored. Examples of relevant Dow’s policies, guidelines and commitments include: Enterprise Risk Management, Sustainability Policy, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Environmental Health and Safety Policy, Code of Conduct Policy, Code of Business Conduct for Suppliers, Responsible Care® Initiative, Chemical Management Policy and Blueprint for Product Safety.

 

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Management of Proceeds

We will allocate an amount equivalent to the net proceeds from this offering to Eligible Green Projects that meet the eligibility criteria. We will manage the use of the net proceeds from this offering in accordance with the evaluation and selection process discussed above, including quarterly reviews of eligible expenditures and appropriate tracking through Dow’s Enterprise Resource Planning system. The net proceeds received from this offering will be allocated and tracked by:

•  Capital project number for capital expenditures;

•  Legal entity and cost center for operating expenditures; and

•  Legal entity and account for assets and investments.

We intend to completely allocate the net proceeds from this offering to Eligible Green Projects within 36 months of the issuance date of the notes. Additional projects may be added or removed to the extent required.

The net proceeds from this offering will be managed in accordance with our regular treasury process until fully allocated to Eligible Green Projects. Payment of principal and interest on the notes will be made from our general funds and will not be directly linked to the performance of any Eligible Green Project.

Reporting

Dow intends to publish annual reporting on the allocation and impact of the portfolio of Eligible Green Projects. This reporting will start within one year after the issuance date of the notes and it is expected to be updated annually until full allocation of the net proceeds from this offering or in case of any material change until the relevant maturity date of the notes. This information will be made publicly available on Dow’s website.

The allocation report may provide indicators such as:

•  The total amount of the notes outstanding;

•  The amount of proceeds allocated to categories of Eligible Green Projects;

•  The balance of unallocated proceeds;

•  The amount or the percentage of new financing and refinancing; and

•  The geographical distribution of the Eligible Green Projects.

Dow intends to report its allocated proceeds from this offering of the notes and corresponding impacts on an aggregated portfolio basis with any other future “green” financings.

Dow further intends to provide information on the expected environmental and social benefits of the selected Eligible Green Projects.

External Verification

We have obtained a Second Party Opinion (the “SPO”) from a consultant with recognized environmental and social expertise on the environmental benefits of Dow’s Green Finance Framework (the “Framework”) as well as the alignment to International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles (as of June 2021 with June 2022 Appendix 1) and Green Loan Principles issued by the Loan Market Association, the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association, and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (as of February 2023). The SPO is available on Dow’s website.

 

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The allocation of the net proceeds from this offering to Eligible Green Projects will be subject to an examination by an independent external auditor annually, starting one year after the issuance date of the notes and continuing through full allocation of the net proceeds. Dow expects to post the external auditor’s report on its website.

For the avoidance of doubt, none of the information contained on, or accessible through, our (or any SPO’s) website, in our Framework, in our future reports regarding the allocation of proceeds from this offering of the notes, in any SPO or in any other opinion or certification, or in the external auditor’s report is or will be incorporated into and/or form part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any other report or filing we make with the SEC.

Neither the terms of the notes nor the Indenture require us to use the proceeds as described hereunder and any failure by us to comply with the anticipated use of proceeds or to comply with the tracking, reporting and other undertakings described thereunder will not (i) constitute a breach or an event of default, (ii) give rise to any other claim of a holder of the notes or (iii) require us to purchase or redeem any notes, in each case of (i) through (iii), under the notes or the Indenture. The above description of the use of the proceeds from this offering is not intended to modify or add any covenant or other contractual obligation undertaken by us under the notes or the Indenture governing the notes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

General

The following description of the particular terms of the notes supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the Indenture (as defined below), debt securities of TDCC and covenants and guarantees of Dow Inc. contained in “Debt Securities of The Dow Chemical Company” and “Description of Guarantees of Debt Securities of The Dow Chemical Company” in the accompanying prospectus, to which reference is made. References to “TDCC,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this section are only to TDCC and not to its subsidiaries or Dow Inc.

The 20  notes and the 20  notes will be issued as two separate series of debt securities under the indenture dated as of July 26, 2019, among TDCC, as issuer, Dow Inc., as a party with respect to the sections described therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Indenture”).

We have initially appointed the trustee at its corporate trust office as transfer agent and registrar for the notes. We may vary or terminate the appointment of any transfer agent and registrar or appoint additional or other such agents or approve any change in the office through which any such agent acts. We will provide you with notice of any resignation, termination or appointment of the trustee or any transfer agent and registrar, and of any change in the office through which any such agent will act.

The 20  notes will initially be limited to $     in aggregate principal amount and will mature on     , 20  . The 20  notes will bear interest at the rate of  % per year.

The 20  notes will initially be limited to $     in aggregate principal amount and will mature on     , 20  . The 20  notes will bear interest at the rate of  % per year.

Interest on the notes will accrue from     , 2024. We will make interest payments on the notes semi-annually in arrears on      and      of each year, beginning     , 2024, to the holders of record at the close of business on      and     , respectively, (whether or not a business day) immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date.

Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

If an interest payment date or maturity or redemption date falls on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the next business day as if it were made on the date the payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after that interest payment date or the maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, to the date the payment is made. Interest payments for the notes will include accrued interest from and including the date of issue or from and including the last date in respect of which interest has been paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the interest payment date or the date of maturity, as the case may be.

As used in this prospectus supplement, a “business day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday on which commercial banks settle payments and are open for general business in The City of New York.

The notes of each series will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons and in minimum denominations of $2,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000 above that amount.

Principal and interest will be payable, and the notes will be transferable or exchangeable, at the office or offices or agency maintained by us for these purposes. Payment of interest on the notes may be made at our option by check mailed to the registered holders.

 

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No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the notes, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

The notes of each series will be represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Except as described under “—Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement,” the notes will not be issuable in certificated form. If the notes are represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of a nominee of DTC, payment of interest will be made in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

Further Issues

The Indenture does not limit the amount of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue under the Indenture and provides that notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness may be issued from time to time in one or more series. We may from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the holders of the notes of a series, issue debt securities having the same terms (except for the issue date and, in some cases, the public offering price and the amount and date of the first interest payment) and ranking equally and ratably with the notes of such series. Any additional debt securities having such similar terms, together with the notes of the applicable series, will constitute a single series of securities under the Indenture. No such additional debt securities may be issued if an “event of default” (as such term is defined in the accompanying prospectus) has occurred and is continuing with respect to the notes of such series.

Ranking

The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equal in right of payment to our other senior unsecured debt from time to time outstanding. The notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries, including trade payables. Since we conduct many of our operations through our subsidiaries, our right to participate in any distribution of the assets of a subsidiary when it winds up its business is subject to the prior claims of the creditors of such subsidiary. This means that your right as a holder of our notes will also be subject to the prior claims of these creditors if a subsidiary liquidates or reorganizes or otherwise winds up its business. Unless we are considered a creditor of the subsidiary, your claims will be recognized behind these creditors. At December 31, 2023, we, including our consolidated subsidiaries, had $15,086 million of indebtedness outstanding, of which $1,479 million of subsidiary indebtedness would be structurally senior to the notes, and at December 31, 2023, Dow Inc. had no outstanding indebtedness.

Guarantee Covenant

The notes will be obligations of TDCC only. On the issue date, the notes will not be guaranteed by Dow Inc. The Indenture contains a covenant from Dow Inc. providing that if Dow Inc. issues a guarantee in respect of outstanding or committed indebtedness under TDCC’s Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, it will enter into a supplemental indenture with TDCC and the trustee in the form attached as an exhibit to the Indenture substantially concurrently with the issuance of such guarantee, pursuant to which it will guarantee all outstanding debt securities and all amounts due under the Indenture, including the notes offered hereby, and will become subject to certain covenants and events of default under the Indenture, including those described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities of The Dow Chemical Company—Certain Covenants Applicable to Senior Debt Securities—Limitation on Liens—Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions” and “Description of Debt Securities of The Dow Chemical Company—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and in the manner set forth in the Indenture. At December 31, 2023, Dow Inc. had no outstanding long-term indebtedness.

 

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The “Revolving Credit Facility Agreement” means TDCC’s $5,000,000,000 Five-Year Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2018, among TDCC, the banks from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, modified, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all of or substantially all of the indebtedness under such agreement or any such successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders. The Revolving Credit Facility was replaced by TDCC’s $5,000,000,000 Five-Year Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2021, among TDCC, the banks from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent.

Optional Redemption

Prior to     , (    months prior to the maturity date of the 20  notes) (the “20  notes par call date”), in the case of the 20  notes, or     , (    months prior to the maturity date of the 20  notes), in the case of the 20  notes, (the “20  notes par call date” and each of the 20  notes par call date and the 20  notes par call date, a “par call date”), TDCC may redeem the notes of the applicable series at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the notes of the applicable series matured on the applicable par call date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus     basis points, in the case of the 20  notes, or     basis points, in the case of the 20  notes, less (b) interest accrued to the redemption date, and

(2) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed,

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

On and after the applicable par call date, TDCC may redeem the notes of the applicable series, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate will be determined by TDCC after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, TDCC will select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the applicable par call date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields—one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life—and will interpolate to the applicable par call date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and

 

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rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 will be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.

If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, TDCC or its designee will calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the applicable par call date, as applicable.

If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the applicable par call date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the applicable par call date, one with a maturity date preceding the applicable par call date and one with a maturity date following the applicable par call date, TDCC will select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the applicable par call date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the applicable par call date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, then TDCC will select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security will be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

TDCC’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed.

The notice of redemption will state any conditions applicable to a redemption and the principal amount of notes to be redeemed. If less than all the notes are to be redeemed, the trustee will select by lot, not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, the particular notes or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding notes previously called, or if the notes are in global form, the notes to be redeemed will be selected by DTC in accordance with DTC’s customary procedures. TDCC will provide written notice to the trustee prior to the close of business two business days prior to the redemption date if any such condition precedent has not been satisfied and the redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt the trustee will provide such notice to each holder of the notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

Unless TDCC defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes of such series or portions thereof called for redemption. On or before the redemption date, TDCC will deposit with a paying agent (or the trustee) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the notes to be redeemed on that date. If less than all of the notes of a series are to be redeemed, the notes of such series to be redeemed shall be selected by DTC in accordance with its applicable depositary procedures, in the case of notes represented by a global note, or by the trustee by lot, in the case of notes that are not represented by a global note.

The trustee will have no responsibility to determine the redemption price of the notes.

 

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Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event

If a Change of Control Repurchase Event (as defined below) occurs with respect to a series of notes, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the notes as described under “—Optional Redemption,” we will make an offer to each holder of the notes of such series to repurchase all or any part (no note of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be repurchased in part) of that holder’s notes at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at our option, prior to any Change of Control (as defined below) with respect to a series of notes, but after the public announcement of an impending Change of Control, we will mail (or with respect to notes represented by a global note, we will electronically deliver) a notice to each holder of such series of notes, with a copy to the trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase such notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or electronically delivered. The notice shall, if mailed or electronically delivered prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to repurchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice.

We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the notes, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the notes by virtue of such conflict.

On the Change of Control Repurchase Event payment date, we will, to the extent lawful:

•  accept for payment all notes or portions of notes (in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above that amount) properly tendered pursuant to our offer;

•  deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and

•  deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes properly accepted, together with an officer’s certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes being repurchased by us.

The paying agent will promptly mail (or cause to be delivered through the facilities of DTC) to each holder of notes properly tendered the repurchase price for the notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any notes surrendered; provided, that each new note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 above that amount.

We will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that we would decide to do so in the future. We could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control, but that could increase the amount of debt outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings.

 

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Definitions

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means with respect to each series of notes, the rating on the notes is lowered by each of the Rating Agencies and such notes are rated below Investment Grade by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the applicable notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided, that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Repurchase Event hereunder) if any of the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply does not announce or publicly confirm or inform the trustee in writing at its request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1)   the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our properties or assets and those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than us, Dow Inc. or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dow Inc.;

(2)   the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than Dow Inc. or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dow Inc., becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock of Dow Inc. or us, measured by voting power rather than number of shares;

(3)   we or Dow Inc. consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, us or Dow Inc., in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of our or Dow Inc.’s outstanding Voting Stock or the Voting Stock of such other person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of our or Dow Inc.’s Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving person immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

(4)   the first day on which a majority of the members of the board of directors of TDCC or the board of directors of Dow Inc. are not Continuing Directors; or

(5)   the adoption of a plan relating to liquidation or dissolution of us or Dow Inc.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be considered to be a Change of Control under clause (2) above if (a) we or Dow Inc. becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (b) (y) immediately following that transaction, the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of the holding company are substantially the same as the holders of Dow Inc.’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (z) immediately following that transaction, no person (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,

 

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of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the holding company. Furthermore, neither the formation of an intermediate holding company of us that is 100% owned by Dow Inc. (directly or indirectly) or any business combination between us and Dow Inc. or any wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dow Inc. will constitute a Change of Control. Accordingly, a holder of the notes will not have the ability to require us to repurchase such holders’ notes as a result of the consummation of such transactions.

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our properties or assets and those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our properties and assets and of those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole to another person or group may be uncertain.

“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, (a) with respect to any member of the board of directors Dow Inc., any such member who (1) was a member of such board of directors on the date of the issuance of the notes or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination or election (either by a specific vote or by approval of our proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director) and (b) with respect to any member of the board of directors of TDCC, any such member who (1) was a member of such board of directors on the date of the issuance of the notes or (2) was appointed, nominated for election or elected to such board of directors by Dow Inc.

Under a recent Delaware Chancery Court interpretation of the foregoing definition of “Continuing Directors,” our Board of Directors could approve, for purposes of such definition, a slate of stockholder nominated directors without endorsing them, or while simultaneously recommending and endorsing its own slate instead. Accordingly, under such interpretation, our Board of Directors could approve a slate of directors that includes a majority of dissident directors nominated pursuant to a proxy contest, and the ultimate election of such dissident slate would not constitute a “Change of Control Repurchase Event” that would trigger a holder’s right to require us to repurchase the holder’s notes as described above.

“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc., and its successors.

“Investment Grade” means a rating of BBB-or better by Fitch (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Fitch), Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s) and a rating of BBB-or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P) or the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any additional Rating Agency or Rating Agencies selected by us.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Services Inc., and its successors.

“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if any of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of the notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” registered pursuant to Section 15E of the Exchange Act, selected by us as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and its successors.

 

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“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any person, capital stock of any class or kind the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such person, even if the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.

Sinking Fund

The notes will not be entitled to any sinking fund.

Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement

Global Notes

We will issue the notes of each series in the form of one or more global notes in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form. The global notes will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear

Beneficial interests in the global notes will be represented, and transfers of such beneficial interests will be effected, through accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct or indirect participants in DTC. Those beneficial interests will be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Investors may hold notes directly through either DTC (in the United States), Clearstream or Euroclear (in Europe), if they are participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the U.S. depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

Owners of beneficial interests in the global notes will not be entitled to have notes registered in their names, and, except as described herein, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form. So long as the common depositary for DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream or its nominee is the registered owner of the global notes, the common depositary for all purposes will be considered the sole holder of the notes represented by the global notes under the Indenture and the global notes. Except as provided below, beneficial owners will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the Indenture, including for purposes of receiving any reports delivered by us or the trustee pursuant to the Indenture. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of the clearing systems and, if such person is not a participant of the clearing systems, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the Indenture. Under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or a beneficial owner desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture, the clearing systems would authorize their participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take action and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners. Conveyance of notices and other communications by the clearing systems to their participants, by the participants to indirect participants and by the participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form. These limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in global notes.

 

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DTC has advised us that:

•  DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act;

•  DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that its participants (“direct participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates;

•  direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations;

•  DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries;

•  access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly;

•  DTC has a Standard & Poor’s rating of AA+; and

•  the rules applicable to DTC are on file with the SEC.

Clearstream has advised us that Clearstream is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry transfers between their accounts. Clearstream provides its participants with, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic securities markets in several countries through established depository and custodial relationships. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector, also known as the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. Clearstream participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations, and may include the underwriters. Clearstream’s participants in the United States are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to other institutions such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with Clearstream participants. Distributions with respect to interests in global securities held through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of its customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

Euroclear has advised us that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for its participants and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other

 

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services, including securities lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank SA/NV under contract with Euroclear plc, a United Kingdom corporation. Euroclear participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries, and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly. Distributions with respect to interests in global securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with Euroclear’s terms and conditions and operating procedures and applicable Belgian law, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.

We have provided the descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear in this prospectus supplement solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of those organizations and are subject to change by them from time to time. None of us, the underwriters nor the trustee takes any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

•  upon deposit of the global notes with DTC or its custodian, DTC will credit on its internal system the accounts of direct participants designated by the initial purchasers with portions of the principal amounts of the global notes;

•  ownership of the notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to interests of direct participants, and the records of direct and indirect participants, with respect to interests of persons other than participants; and

•  The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the notes represented by a global note to those persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in notes represented by a global note to pledge or transfer those interests to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of such interest.

So long as DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their nominee or their common depositary is the registered holder of the global notes, DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by such global notes for all purposes under the Indenture and the notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in the global notes will not be entitled to have notes represented by such global notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture or under the notes for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee. Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in the global notes must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that holder is not a direct or indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the Indenture or the global notes.

Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of notes by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of those organizations relating to the notes.

 

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Payments on the notes represented by the global notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof. We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment on the notes represented by the global notes, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in such global notes as shown in the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global notes held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. The participants will be responsible for those payments.

Distributions on the notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of its customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.

Distributions on the notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of its participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.

Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Clearstream customers and/ or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way following the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear. Secondary market trading will be settled using procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in registered form.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving the notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their U.S. depositaries.

Because the purchaser determines the place of delivery, it is important to establish at the time of trading of any notes where both the purchaser’s and seller’s accounts are located to ensure that settlement can be made on the desired value date.

 

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You should be aware that investors will only be able to make and receive deliveries, payments and other communications involving the notes through Clearstream and Euroclear on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

In addition, because of time-zone differences, there may be problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States. Clearstream or Euroclear will credit payments to the cash accounts of Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants, as applicable, in accordance with the relevant system’s rules and procedures, to the extent received by its depositary. Credits of the notes received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in the notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of the notes by or through a Clearstream customer or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC. Clearstream or the Euroclear Operator, as the case may be, will take any other action permitted to be taken by a holder under the Indenture on behalf of a Clearstream customer or Euroclear participant only in accordance with its relevant rules and procedures.

DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of the Notes among participants of Clearstream and Euroclear. However, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform those procedures, and they may discontinue those procedures at any time.

Certificated Notes

Individual certificates in respect of the notes will not be issued in exchange for the global notes, except in very limited circumstances. Subject to certain conditions, the notes represented by global notes are exchangeable for certificated notes in definitive form of like tenor in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof if:

•  DTC notifies us that it is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary for such global note or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we have not appointed a successor depositary within 90 days of that notice or becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered;

•  we have been notified that both Clearstream and Euroclear have been closed for a continuous period of at least 14 days (other by reason of a holiday, statutory or otherwise) or have announced an intention permanently to cease business or have in fact done so and no successor clearing system is available;

•  an event of default has occurred and is continuing; or

•  we determine not to have the notes represented by a global note.

Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by the holder of the relevant global notes in identifying the holders of beneficial interests in the global notes, and each such person may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the definitive notes to be issued).

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion summarizes the material United States federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. This summary:

•  is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations including proposed regulations and temporary regulations issued under the Code, judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements, all as of the date of this prospectus supplement, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change. Any such change may be applied retroactively and may adversely affect the United States federal tax consequences described in this prospectus supplement;

•  addresses only tax consequences of initial investors that purchase the notes for cash at their initial offering price, and hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (that is, for investment purposes);

•  does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their particular circumstances (such as the application of any alternative minimum tax);

•  does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to investors that are subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws (such as life insurance companies, financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, individual retirement and other tax-deferred accounts, regulated investment companies, dealers in securities or currencies, U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the United States dollar, persons holding the notes as part of a hedge or hedged against currency risk, straddle, “synthetic security,” constructive sale, conversion or other integrated transaction, persons subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code, former United States citizens or long-term residents, or traders in securities that have elected to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings);

•  does not discuss the effect of other United States federal tax laws (such as estate and gift tax laws) except to the limited extent specifically indicated below, and does not discuss any state, local or foreign tax laws; and

•  does not discuss the tax consequences of a person holding notes through a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes), except to the limited extent specifically indicated below.

We have not sought and will not seek a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to any matters discussed in this section, and we cannot assure you that the IRS will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the notes, or that any such position would not be sustained.

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds the notes, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. This prospectus supplement does not discuss rules applicable to partnerships. If you are a partnership or a partner in a partnership holding notes, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the notes.

 

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Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of U.S. Holders

The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes by a holder that is a “U.S. Holder.” For purposes of this summary, “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note or notes that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:

•  an individual who is a citizen or resident (including a deemed resident) of the United States;

•  a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States (or any state thereof or the District of Columbia);

•  an estate whose net income is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

•  a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons (within the meaning of the Code) have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (ii) such trust was in existence on August 20, 1996 and has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

Under the “substantial presence” test, an individual may, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to be a resident of the United States by reason of being present in the United States for at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year (counting for such purposes all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year).

If you are not a U.S. Holder, this subsection does not apply to you and you should refer to “—Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of Non-U.S. Holders.”

Treatment of Interest

Stated interest on the notes will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income as the interest is paid or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of tax accounting.

Treatment of Dispositions of Notes

Upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition (collectively, a “disposition”) of a note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount received on such disposition (other than amounts received in respect of accrued and unpaid interest, which will generally be taxable to that U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at that time if not previously included in the U.S. Holder’s income) and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note will be, in general, the cost of the note to the U.S. Holder. Gain or loss realized on the disposition of a note generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, the note has been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such gain or loss generally will be short-term capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gain recognized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally is eligible for lower rates of United States federal income taxation than those applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the deductibility of capital losses in their particular circumstances.

 

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Medicare Tax

A tax of 3.8% on certain individuals, trusts and estates is imposed on the lesser of (1) the taxpayer’s “net investment income” (or undistributed net investment income in the case of an estate or trust) for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income (or adjusted gross income in the case of an estate or trust) for the taxable year over a certain threshold. A U.S. Holder’s net investment income will generally include gross income from interest on the notes and net gain attributable to the disposition of certain property, such as the notes, less certain deductions, unless such interest income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax in their particular circumstances in respect of their investment in the notes.

Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of Non-U.S. Holders

The following is a summary of the material United States federal income and estate tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes by a holder that is a “Non-U.S. Holder.” For purposes of this summary, “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note or notes, other than a partnership (or an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes), who is not a U.S. Holder.

Special rules may apply to Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment under the Code, including controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, certain U.S. expatriates, and foreign persons eligible for benefits under an applicable income tax treaty with the United States. Such Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the United States federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

Treatment of Interest

Subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal income tax (including withholding tax) in respect of interest income on the notes if the interest income qualifies for the “portfolio interest exception.” Interest income on the notes will qualify for the “portfolio interest exception” if each of the following requirements is satisfied:

•  the interest is not effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States (or, in the case of an applicable income tax treaty, is not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States);

•  the Non-U.S. Holder appropriately certifies its status as a non-United States person (as described below);

•  the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of our stock entitled to vote; and

•  the Non-U.S. Holder is not a “controlled foreign corporation” that is actually or constructively related to us through stock ownership.

The certification requirement referred to above generally will be satisfied if the Non-U.S. Holder provides us or our paying agent with a statement on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or suitable substitute or successor form), together with all appropriate attachments, signed under penalties of perjury, identifying the Non-U.S. Holder and stating, among other things, that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person (within the meaning of the Code). If the Non-U.S. Holder

 

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holds its notes through a securities clearing organization, bank, financial institution or other agent acting on the holder’s behalf, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to that agent, and that agent will then be required to provide appropriate documentation to us or our paying agent (either directly or through other intermediaries). For payments made to foreign partnerships and certain other pass-through entities, the certification requirement will generally apply to the partners or other interest holders rather than the partnership or other pass-through entity. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding this certification requirement and alternative methods for satisfying the certification requirement.

If the requirements of the “portfolio interest exception” are not satisfied with respect to a Non-U.S. Holder, payments of interest to that Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate, unless another exemption or a reduced withholding rate applies. For example, an applicable income tax treaty may reduce or eliminate such tax, in which event a Non-U.S. Holder claiming the benefit of such treaty must provide the withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or suitable substitute or successor form) establishing the benefit of the applicable income tax treaty. Alternatively, an exemption applies to the 30% United States withholding tax if the interest is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and the Non-U.S. Holder provides an appropriate statement to that effect on a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or suitable substitute or successor form). A Non-U.S. Holder that holds the notes in connection with a trade or business conducted within the United States generally will be subject to United States federal income tax with respect to all income from the notes in the same manner as U.S. Holders, as described above, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. In addition, such a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may be subject to a branch profits tax with respect to any such United States trade or business income at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty).

Treatment of Dispositions of Notes

Subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and FATCA, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on gain realized upon the disposition of a note unless the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, in the case of an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States).

In such case, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as U.S. Holders, as described above, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. Additionally, Non-U.S. Holders that are corporations could be subject to a branch profits tax with respect to such gain at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty).

Treatment of Notes for United States Federal Estate Tax Purposes

A note held, or beneficially held, by an individual who is neither a citizen nor a resident (as determined for estate tax purposes) of the United States at the time of his or her death will not be includable in the individual’s gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes, provided, that (i) the Non-U.S. Holder does not at the time of death actually or constructively own 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote and (ii) at the time of death, payments with respect to such note would not have been effectively connected with the conduct by such holder of a trade or business in the United States. In addition, under the terms of an applicable estate tax treaty, United States federal estate tax may not apply or be modified with respect to a note.

 

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FATCA

Withholding taxes may be imposed under FATCA on certain types of payments made to certain foreign financial institutions and other non-U.S. entities.

Specifically, a 30% withholding tax will be imposed on payments of interest on notes made to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (in each case, as defined in the Code), regardless of whether such foreign institution or entity is a beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless (1) in the case of a foreign financial institution, the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations; (2) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner and satisfies certain other requirements; or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements described in clause (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the IRS requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “U.S. persons” or “U.S.-owned foreign entities” (in each case, as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Prospective purchasers of notes should consult their tax advisors regarding the consequences and application of the rules under FATCA.

United States Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding Tax

U.S. Holders

TDCC, or if a U.S. Holder holds notes through a broker or other securities intermediary, the intermediary, may be required to file information returns with respect to payments made to the U.S. Holder of interest, and, in some cases, disposition proceeds on the notes.

In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to backup withholding on those payments if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers in the manner required, the IRS notifies us or the intermediary that the taxpayer identification number furnished by the U.S. Holders is incorrect, they fail to certify that they are not subject to backup withholding, they fail to properly report in full their dividend and interest income, or they otherwise fail to comply with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability (or refund) provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Prospective U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules.

Non-U.S. Holders

United States federal income tax rules concerning information reporting and backup withholding applicable to Non-U.S. Holders are as follows:

•  We may be required to report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of interest paid to, and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to each Non-U.S. Holder. The IRS may make this information available under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder is resident.

 

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•  Interest payments received by a Non-U.S. Holder will be generally exempt from backup withholding tax if such payments are subject to the 30% withholding tax on interest or if they are exempt from that tax by application of a tax treaty or the “portfolio interest” exception, where the non-U.S. Holder satisfies the certification requirements described under “—Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of Non-U.S. Holders—Treatment of Interest” above. The exemption does not apply if the withholding agent or an intermediary knows or has reason to know that the Non-U.S. Holder should be subject to the information reporting or backup withholding rules.

•  Sale proceeds received by a Non-U.S. Holder on a sale of notes through a broker may be subject to information reporting and/or backup withholding if the Non-U.S. Holder is not eligible for an exemption or does not provide the certification described under “—Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of Non-U.S. Holders—Treatment of Interest” above. In particular, information reporting and backup withholding may apply if the Non-U.S. Holder uses the United States office of a broker, and information reporting (but generally not backup withholding) may apply if a Non-U.S. Holder uses the foreign office of a broker that has certain connections to the United States.

•  Sale proceeds received by a Non-U.S. Holder on a sale of notes through the United States office of a broker generally will be subject to backup withholding tax and information reporting unless the Non-U.S. Holder satisfies the certification requirements described under “—Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of Non-U.S. Holders—Treatment of Interest” above or otherwise establishes an exemption;

•  Sale proceeds received by a Non-U.S. Holder on a sale of notes through a non-United States office of a broker that is a not a United States person and does not have any certain specified United States connections (a “United States Related Person”) will not be subject to backup withholding tax or information reporting; and

•  Sale proceeds received by a Non-U.S. Holder on a sale of notes through a non-United States office of a broker that is a United States person or a United States Related Person generally will be subject to information reporting (but generally not backup withholding tax) unless the Non-U.S. Holder satisfies the certification requirements described under “—Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of Non-U.S. Holders—Treatment of Interest” above or otherwise establishes an exemption.

United States backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability, provided, that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules.

THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES SET FORTH ABOVE MAY VARY FOR INVESTORS IN DIFFERENT TAX SITUATIONS. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS (AND ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW).

 

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UNDERWRITING

BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., ING Financial Markets LLC and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriters

   Principal
Amount of
20  Notes
    Principal
Amount of
20  Notes
 

BofA Securities, Inc.

   $       $    

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

    

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

    

ING Financial Markets LLC

    

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.

    

Academy Securities, Inc.

    

Blaylock Van, LLC

    

R. Seelaus & Co., LLC

    

Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc.

    

Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC

    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $            $         
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the notes if they purchase any of the notes. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. TDCC has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

Commissions and Discounts

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the notes directly to the public at the public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, and to certain dealers at such prices less a concession not in excess of  % of the principal amount of the 20  notes and  % of the principal amount of the 20  notes. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of  % of the principal amount of the 20  notes and  % of the principal amount of the 20  notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes to the public, the representatives may change the public offering prices and other selling terms.

The following table shows the underwriting discounts that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes).

 

     Per
 20  Note 
      Total        Per
 20  Note 
       Total    

Underwriting discount paid by us

          $                 %      $         

The estimated fees and expenses of this offering are approximately $   million. These may include, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing costs, fees and expenses of our counsel and accountants, and any “blue sky” filing fees and expenses.

 

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New Issue of Notes

The notes are new issues of securities with no established trading markets. We do not intend to list the notes on a national securities exchange. We have been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters intend to make a market in the notes of each series but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading markets for the notes or that active public markets for the notes will develop. If active public markets for the notes do not develop, the market prices and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

Short Positions

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales and purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater principal amount of notes than they are required to purchase in the offering. The underwriters must close out any short position by purchasing notes in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the prices of the notes in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market prices of the notes or preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of the notes. As a result, the prices of the notes may be higher than the prices that might otherwise exist in the open market.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the prices of the notes. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Other Relationships

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions. Affiliates of the underwriters are agents and/or lenders under our bank credit facilities, including the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments, including serving as counterparties to certain derivative and hedging arrangements, and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge, and certain of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

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Selling Restrictions

Other than in the United States, to the best of our knowledge, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The notes offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such notes be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the notes and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any notes offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Sales of the notes in the United States by any underwriter that is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC will be made only through one or more SEC-registered broker-dealers in compliance with applicable securities laws and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes,

 

  (a)

a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of:

 

  (i)

a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or

 

  (ii)

a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or

 

  (iii)

not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”); and

 

  (b)

the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes.

Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any Member State of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. This prospectus supplement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

The above selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restriction set out below.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (the “UK”). For these purposes, a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of:

 

  (i)

a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act of 2018 (as amended, the “EUWA”); or

 

  (ii)

a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or

 

  (iii)

not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”).

The expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes.

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

  (a)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to TDCC; and

 

  (b)

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Consequently, no key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in the United Kingdom will be made pursuant to an exemption under the UK Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. This prospectus supplement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) (i) who fall within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”); (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; or (iii) who are persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

 

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The underwriters will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of such notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and they have complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by them in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The notes have not been and may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) (“SFO”) and any rules made thereunder, or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the “Financial Instruments and Exchange Law”) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus has been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each underwriter has not offered or sold any notes or caused such notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell such notes or cause such notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of such notes, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than:

 

  (a)

to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”),

 

  (b)

to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or

 

  (c)

otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

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Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  (a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

  (b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA, except:

 

  (a)

to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A), or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  (b)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  (c)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  (d)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

  (e)

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Singapore SFA Product Classification—Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, TDCC has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA), that the notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in South Korea

The notes may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in South Korea or to any resident of South Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of South Korea, including the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and the decrees and regulations thereunder. The notes have not been registered with the Financial Services Commission of South Korea for public offering in South Korea. Furthermore, the notes may not be re-sold to South Korean residents unless the purchaser of the notes complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to government approval requirements under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and its subordinate decrees and regulations) in connection with their purchase.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Dow Inc. and TDCC are currently subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. Dow Inc. and TDCC have filed, and expect to continue to file, combined reports. In addition, if the SEC rules permit, TDCC may, in the future, cease to separately file periodic reports.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. We hereby “incorporate by reference” the documents listed below. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including current reports on Form 8-K furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 (including any financial statements or exhibits relating thereto furnished pursuant to Item 9.01)):

•  Annual Report on Form 10-K of Dow Inc. and TDCC for the fiscal year ended December  31, 2023, filed with the SEC on January 31, 2024;

•  Current Report on Form 8-K of Dow Inc. and TDCC, filed with the SEC on January 30, 2024;

•  The description of Dow Inc.’s common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Dow Inc.’s and TDCC’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 30, 2024) and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description; and

•  Future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until TDCC has sold all of the securities to which this prospectus supplement relates or the offering is otherwise terminated. Our subsequent filings with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement. None of TDCC, Dow Inc. or the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information other than that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus supplement.

You can obtain any of the documents listed above from the SEC, through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or through our website at investors.dow.com. Our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. Our website and its content are not deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

Upon your oral or written request, we will also provide you with a copy of any of these filings at no cost. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, Dow Inc., 2211 H.H. Dow Way, Midland, Michigan, 48674, Telephone No. 1-989-636-1463.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the notes will be passed upon for us by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters relating to the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Mayer Brown LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Mayer Brown LLP has from time to time acted as counsel for us and our subsidiaries and may do so in the future.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries (“Dow Chemical”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Dow Chemical’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of Dow Chemical’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Dow”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Dow’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of Dow’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

 

DOW INC.   THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Guarantees

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Debt Securities

Stock Purchase Contracts

Stock Purchase Units

 

Debt Securities

Guarantees

Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

Pursuant to this prospectus and the relevant prospectus supplement, from time to time, Dow Inc. may sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, guarantees, warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock and debt securities, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units from time to time. Pursuant to this prospectus and the relevant prospectus supplement, from time to time, The Dow Chemical Company may sell debt securities, guarantees and warrants to purchase debt securities. Debt securities sold by Dow Inc. may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by The Dow Chemical Company. See “Description of Debt Securities of Dow Inc.” and “Description of Guarantees of Debt Securities of Dow Inc.” Debt securities sold by The Dow Chemical Company may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by Dow Inc. See “Description of Debt Securities of The Dow Chemical Company” and “Description of Guarantees of Debt Securities of The Dow Chemical Company.”

We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any of these securities.

Dow Inc.’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DOW.”

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more agents, underwriters, dealers or other third parties or directly to one or more purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the method of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” The names of any underwriters, dealers or other third parties involved in the sale of any securities and the specific manner in which they may be offered will be set forth in the prospectus supplement covering the sale of those securities.

For a discussion of certain factors that you should consider before investing in the offered securities, see “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is June 13, 2022


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    2  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

    3  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    4  

THE COMPANY

    5  

RISK FACTORS

    6  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    7  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF DOW INC.

    8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES OF DOW INC.

    15  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF DOW INC.

    18  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

    29  

DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES OF DOW INC.

    40  

DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

    41  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS OF DOW INC.

    42  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

    44  

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS OF DOW INC.

    46  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    47  

LEGAL MATTERS

    48  

EXPERTS

    48  


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed by Dow Inc. and The Dow Chemical Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we are registering an unspecified amount of each class of the securities described in this prospectus, and we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. In addition, selling security holders may sell securities under our shelf registration statement.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or any selling security holders may offer. Each time we or any selling security holders sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and, if any securities are to be sold by selling security holders, the names of the selling security holders. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are offering these securities only in states where the offer is permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.” The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities to be offered.

Except as otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our, “the company” and “Dow” refer collectively to Dow Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “Dow Inc.” refer to The Dow Chemical Company’s parent company, which has its common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DOW,” not including its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “TDCC” refer to The Dow Chemical Company only, not including its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “Dow Chemical” refer to The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Each of Dow Inc. and The Dow Chemical Company is referred to as a “Registrant,” and collectively as “Registrants.”

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Dow Inc. and TDCC are currently subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Dow Inc. and TDCC have filed, and expect to continue to file, combined reports. In addition, if the SEC rules permit, TDCC may cease to separately file periodic reports if Dow Inc. provides a guarantee of TDCC’s outstanding debt securities.

You can obtain any of the documents listed above from the SEC, through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, through our website at www.dow.com, or by requesting them in writing or by telephone at the following address:

Dow Inc.

2211 H.H. Dow Way

Midland, MI 48674

Attention: Investor Relations

1-989-636-1463

However, except for the filings of Dow Inc. or TDCC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the information on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus. These documents are available without charge, excluding any exhibits to them, unless the exhibit is specifically listed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. We hereby “incorporate by reference” the documents listed below. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and in some cases supersede this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including current reports on Form 8-K furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 (including any financial statements or exhibits relating thereto furnished pursuant to Item 9.01)):

 

   

The Annual Report on Form 10-K of Dow Inc. and TDCC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 4, 2022 (the “2021 10-K”);

 

   

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Dow Inc. and TDCC, for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on April 22, 2022 (the “Q1 2022 10-Q”);

 

   

The Current Reports on Form 8-K of Dow Inc. and TDCC, filed with the SEC on February 3, 2022, February 10, 2022 and April 18, 2022;

 

   

The description of Dow Inc.’s common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Dow Inc.’s and TDCC’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 3, 2022), and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description; and

 

   

Future filings made by Dow Inc. and TDCC with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until each of Dow Inc. and TDCC has sold all of the securities to which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated.

Upon your oral or written request, we will provide you with a copy of any of these filings at no cost. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, Dow Inc., 2211 H.H. Dow Way, Midland, Michigan, 48674, Telephone No. 1-989-636-1463.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, financial condition, and other matters, and often contain words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “would” and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond Dow’s control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date the statements were made. These factors include, but are not limited to: sales of Dow’s products; Dow’s expenses, future revenues and profitability; the continuing global and regional economic impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic and other public health-related risks and events on Dow’s business; any sanction, export restrictions, supply chain disruptions or increased economic uncertainty related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; capital requirements and need for and availability of financing; unexpected barriers in the development of technology, including with respect to Dow’s contemplated capital and operating projects; Dow’s ability to realize its commitment to carbon neutrality on the contemplated timeframe; size of the markets for Dow’s products and services and ability to compete in such markets; failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; the rate and degree of market acceptance of Dow’s products; significant litigation and environmental matters and related contingencies and unexpected expenses; the success of competing technologies that are or may become available; the ability to protect Dow’s intellectual property in the United States and abroad; developments related to contemplated restructuring activities and proposed divestitures or acquisitions such as workforce reduction, manufacturing facility and/or asset closure and related exit and disposal activities, and the benefits and costs associated with each of the foregoing; fluctuations in energy and raw material prices; management of process safety and product stewardship; changes in relationships with Dow’s significant customers and suppliers; changes in consumer preferences and demand; changes in laws and regulations, political conditions or industry development; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, market uncertainty, interest and currency exchange rates, and equity and commodity prices; business or supply disruptions; security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; weather events and natural disasters; disruptions in Dow’s information technology networks and systems; and risks related to Dow’s separation from DowDuPont Inc. such as Dow’s obligation to indemnify DuPont de Nemours, Inc. and/or Corteva, Inc. for certain liabilities.

Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A. of the 2021 10-K and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of the Q1 2022 10-Q. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that Dow faces. There may be other risks and uncertainties that Dow is unable to identify at this time or that Dow does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. If any of those risks or uncertainties develops into an actual event, it could have a material adverse effect on Dow’s business. Dow Inc. and TDCC assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities and other applicable laws.

 

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THE COMPANY

Dow Inc. was incorporated on August 30, 2018, under Delaware law, to serve as a holding company for TDCC and its consolidated subsidiaries. Dow Inc. operates all of its businesses through TDCC, a wholly owned subsidiary, which was incorporated in 1947 under Delaware law and is the successor to a Michigan corporation, of the same name, organized in 1897. The Registrants’ principal executive offices are located at 2211 H.H. Dow Way, Midland, Michigan 48674 and their telephone number is (989) 636-1000.

Dow combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance leadership to achieve profitable growth and deliver a sustainable future. Dow’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. As of December 31, 2021, Dow operated 104 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employed approximately 35,700 people. In 2021, Dow had annual sales of approximately $55 billion.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the securities involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in the 2021 10-K and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A in the Q1 2022 10-Q, and in the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as may be described otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, each Registrant expects to use the net proceeds from sales of any securities described in this prospectus for its general corporate purposes, which may include funding capital expenditures, pursuing growth initiatives, whether through acquisitions, joint ventures or otherwise, repaying or refinancing indebtedness or other obligations, and financing working capital.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF DOW INC.

The following summary of Dow Inc.’s common stock and preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the relevant provisions of Delaware law, and by Dow Inc.’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Dow Inc. is authorized to issue 5,250,000,000 shares of all classes of stock, 5,000,000,000 of which are shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 250,000,000 of which are shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of March 31, 2022, Dow Inc. had 767,064,055 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, issued and 728,101,842 shares of common stock outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Series of the preferred stock may be authorized and issued from time to time by the Dow Inc. board of directors, without any stockholder action, with such rights, powers and preferences as the Dow Inc. board of directors may determine. Any additional shares of common stock and preferred stock that Dow Inc. issues pursuant to this prospectus will be fully paid and non-assessable. Neither Dow Inc.’s common stockholders nor preferred stockholders have, or will have, any preemptive rights.

Common Stock

General

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to all of the rights of holders of preferred stock provided for by the board of directors or by Delaware corporate law, the holders of common stock will have full voting rights on all matters requiring stockholder action, with each share of common stock being entitled to one vote and having equal rights of participation in the dividends and distributions of Dow Inc., including upon the dissolution of Dow Inc.

Board of Directors

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws provide that all of Dow Inc.’s directors are elected each year at Dow Inc.’s annual meeting for a term of one year and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. A quorum of directors consists of a majority of Dow Inc.’s entire board of directors then holding office.

Number, Filling of Vacancies and Removal of Directors

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that its board of directors may not have less than six or more than twenty-one members. The actual number of directors is determined by a vote of a majority of Dow Inc.’s entire board of directors. Currently, Dow Inc. has twelve members on its board of directors. Vacancies on Dow Inc.’s board of directors and any newly created directorships are filled exclusively by a vote of the majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum or by the sole remaining director, and shall not be filled by the stockholders. Directors elected to fill a vacancy or a new position hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock, directors can be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of all the outstanding shares of Dow Inc.’s capital stock then entitled to vote in the election of directors.

 

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Dividends

Delaware corporate law generally provides that a corporation, subject to restrictions in its certificate of incorporation, including preferred stockholders’ rights to receive dividends prior to common stockholders, may declare and pay dividends out of:

 

   

surplus; or

 

   

net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year, if there is no surplus.

Dividends may not be declared or paid out of net profits if the capital of the corporation is less than the aggregate amount of capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference on the distribution of assets. Dividends on Dow Inc. common stock are not cumulative. Dow Inc.’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not contain any additional restrictions on the declaration or payment of dividends.

Preferred Stock

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes Dow Inc.’s board of directors, without stockholder approval and subject to the provisions of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and to the limitations prescribed by the Delaware corporate law, to authorize by resolution or resolutions, from time to time, the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock out of the authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and with respect to each such series, to fix, by filing a certificate of designation pursuant to the Delaware corporate law setting forth such resolution or resolutions and providing for the issuance of such series, the voting powers, full or limited, if any, of the shares of such series and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The authority of Dow Inc.’s board of directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, the determination or fixing of the following:

 

  (i)

the designation of such series;

 

  (ii)

the number of shares of such series, which number Dow Inc.’s board of director may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the certificate of designation for such series) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding);

 

  (iii)

the dividend rate, if any, payable to holders of shares of such series, any conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class or classes of stock or any other series of any class of stock of Dow Inc., and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;

 

  (iv)

whether the shares of such series shall be subject to redemption by Dow Inc., in whole or in part, at the option of Dow Inc. or of the holder thereof, and, if made subject to such redemption, the times, prices, form of payment and other terms and conditions of such redemption;

 

  (v)

the terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series;

 

  (vi)

whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any other class or classes of any stock or any other series of any class of stock of Dow Inc. or any other security, and, if provision is made for conversion or exchange, the times, prices, rates, adjustments, and other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchanges;

 

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  (vii)

the extent, if any, to which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled to vote generally, with respect to the election of directors, upon specified events or otherwise;

 

  (viii)

the restrictions, if any, on the issue or reissue of any additional preferred stock; and

 

  (ix)

the rights and preferences of the holders of the shares of such series upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of, or upon the distribution of assets of, Dow Inc.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolutions providing for the issuance of any series of preferred stock may provide that such series shall be superior to, rank equally with or be junior to any other series of preferred stock to the extent permitted by law and the terms of any other series of preferred stock.

Selected Provisions in Dow Inc.’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain a number of provisions that could have the effect of prohibiting or delaying a third party’s ability to take control of Dow Inc.

Advance Notice Provisions for Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals at an Annual or Special Stockholders’ Meeting

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws provide that a stockholder may make a nomination of persons for election to the board of directors at an annual stockholders’ meeting only if the stockholder is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting and complies with the notice procedures and disclosure requirements as set forth below and may propose other business at an annual stockholders’ meeting only if such stockholder gives timely written notice thereof to Dow Inc.’s Secretary and any such business is a proper subject for stockholder action. The notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, Dow Inc.’s Secretary at Dow Inc.’s principal executive offices:

 

   

not later than the close of business on the 90th day or earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date on which Dow Inc. first distributed its proxy materials for the prior year’s annual meeting; or

 

   

if the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day after the date on which public disclosure, as defined in Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws, of the date of the annual meeting is first made by Dow Inc.

The notice must include the following information as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director:

 

   

all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act;

 

   

such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected and a representation by the nominee to the effect that, if elected, the nominee will agree to and abide by all policies of the board of directors as may be in place at any time and from time to time; and

 

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any information required to be disclosed in the third following paragraph below if such person were a stockholder purporting to make a nomination or propose business.

In addition, the notice must include the following information as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting:

 

   

a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting;

 

   

the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment);

 

   

the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting;

 

   

any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the business is being proposed;

 

   

any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the proposal and pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and

 

   

a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings between or among such stockholder, or any affiliates or associates of such stockholder, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business and any material interest of such stockholder or any affiliates or associates of such stockholder, in such business, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such stockholder, or any affiliates or associates of such stockholder.

The notice must include information specified in Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made or the other business is proposed, including:

 

   

the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on Dow Inc.’s books, and the name and address of such beneficial owner;

 

   

the class and number of shares of Dow Inc.’s capital stock which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the date of the notice and a representation that such stockholder will promptly notify Dow Inc. in writing of the same as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date notice of the record date is first publicly disclosed;

 

   

a written representation that the stockholder is the holder of record of Dow Inc.’s shares entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination or other business;

 

   

a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or beneficial owner, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the share price of any class of Dow Inc.’s capital stock, or maintain,

 

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increase or decrease the voting power of the stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to shares of Dow Inc. stock and a representation that such stockholder will promptly notify Dow Inc. in writing of the same as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date notice of the record date is first publicly disclosed;

 

   

a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of Dow Inc.’s shares entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice and that such stockholder will promptly notify Dow Inc. in writing of the same as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date notice of the record date is first publicly disclosed; and

 

   

a representation whether such stockholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of Dow Inc.’s outstanding capital stock required to approve the election of the nominee and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such election.

The notice must also include information specified in Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws as to the stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made or the other business is proposed, as to such beneficial owner, including:

 

   

the class and number of shares of Dow Inc.’s capital stock which are beneficially owned (as defined in Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws) as of the date of the notice, by the stockholder or the beneficial owner on whose behalf the notice is given and a representation that the stockholder shall notify Dow Inc. in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class and number of shares of Dow Inc.’s capital stock beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner as of the record date for the meeting;

 

   

a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or other business between or among such stockholder or beneficial owner and any other person, including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable to the stockholder or beneficial owner) and a representation that the stockholder shall notify Dow Inc. in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting; and

 

   

a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or beneficial owner, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the share price of any class of Dow Inc.’s capital stock, or maintain, increase or decrease the voting power of the stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to shares of Dow Inc. stock and a representation that the stockholder shall notify Dow Inc. in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting;

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, a special stockholders’ meeting for any purpose may be called by the board

 

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of directors by a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board. A special stockholders’ meeting will be called by the Chairman upon a written request from stockholders holding at least twenty-five percent of the voting power entitled to vote on the matters to be brought before the special meeting and which request complies with the procedures for calling a special meeting of stockholders as set forth in Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws.

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws provide that a stockholder notice requesting a special meeting must:

 

   

be delivered to, or mailed to and received by Dow Inc.’s Secretary at Dow Inc.’s principal executive offices;

 

   

be signed by each stockholder requesting the special meeting, or a duly authorized agent thereof;

 

   

set forth the purpose of the special meeting; and

 

   

include the same information required to be included in a stockholder’s notice for proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders (see “—Advance Notice Provisions for Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals at an Annual or Special Stockholders’ Meeting”).

Subject to certain exceptions specified in Dow Inc.’s amended and restated bylaws, a special stockholders’ meeting will be held within 90 days after such stockholder request to call the special meeting is delivered to or received by Dow Inc.’s Secretary, at such date, time and place as determined by the board of directors. Only the business set forth in the stockholders’ notice and any business included in the notice of the special meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Dow Inc.’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders must be taken at a duly called annual or special stockholders’ meeting and may not be taken by written consent; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of any series of preferred stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable certificate of designation for such series of preferred stock.

Transactions with Interested Stockholders and a Merger or Consolidation

Subject to certain limited exceptions, Delaware corporate law requires the approval of the board of directors and a majority of a corporation’s outstanding stock entitled to vote to authorize a merger or consolidation.

In general, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

 

   

before the stockholder became interested, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

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upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

   

at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines a business combination to include:

 

   

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

   

any sale, transfer, lease, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

 

   

subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

   

subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; and

 

   

the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.

The DGCL allows a corporation to specify in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws that it will not be governed by the section relating to transactions with interested stockholders. Dow Inc. has not made that election in its amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES OF DOW INC.

The following summarizes briefly the material provisions of the deposit agreement and the depositary shares and depositary receipts of Dow Inc. You should read the particular terms of any depositary shares and any depositary receipts that are offered by Dow Inc., and any deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, which will be described in more detail in an applicable prospectus supplement. Dow Inc. will file the applicable deposit agreement with the SEC if Dow Inc. offers depositary shares.

General

Dow Inc. may, at its option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. In the event Dow Inc. exercises this option, Dow Inc. will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in an applicable prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock as described below.

The shares of each series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between Dow Inc. and a bank or trust company selected by Dow Inc. and having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all of the rights and preferences of the preferred stock in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, execute and deliver temporary depositary receipts which are substantially identical to, and which entitle the holders to all the rights pertaining to, the definitive depositary receipts. Depositary receipts will be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and temporary depositary receipts will be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at Dow Inc.’s expense.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends and other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the preferred stock, in proportion to the numbers of the depositary shares owned by such holders.

In the event of a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property it receives to the appropriate record holders of depositary shares. If the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make a distribution, it may, with Dow Inc.’s approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

Redemption of Stock

If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is to be redeemed, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of each series of preferred stock held by the depositary. The depositary shares will be redeemed by the depositary at a price per depositary share equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable in respect of the shares of preferred stock so redeemed.

 

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Whenever Dow Inc. redeems shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same date, the number of depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the depositary by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.

Withdrawal of Stock

Any holder of depositary shares may, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary receipts. Holders of depositary shares making withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of preferred stock on the basis described in an applicable prospectus supplement for such series of preferred stock, but holders of whole shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit the preferred stock under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts therefor. If the depositary shares surrendered by the holder in connection with a withdrawal exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

Voting Deposited Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the relevant series of preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the preferred stock represented by the holder’s depositary shares.

The depositary will attempt, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of such series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, and Dow Inc. will agree to take all reasonable actions that may be deemed necessary by the depositary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will refrain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holder of depositary shares representing the preferred stock.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between Dow Inc. and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of the depositary shares representing preferred stock of any series will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least the amount of the depositary shares then outstanding representing the minimum amount of preferred stock of such series necessary to approve any amendment that would materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders of the preferred stock of such series. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any amendment becomes effective, or any transferee of the holder, will be deemed, by continuing to hold the depositary receipt, or by reason of the acquisition thereof, to consent and agree to the amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby. The deposit agreement may be terminated by Dow Inc. or the depositary only after:

 

   

all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or

 

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a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock has been made to the holders of depositary shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Dow Inc.

Charges of Depositary

Dow Inc. will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. Dow Inc. will pay all charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the relevant series of preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and other charges or expenses as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Dow Inc. notice of its election to do so, and Dow Inc. may at any time remove the depositary, any resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward all reports and communications from Dow Inc., which are delivered to the depositary and which Dow Inc. is required to furnish to the holders of the deposited preferred stock.

Neither Dow Inc. nor the depositary will be liable if Dow Inc. or the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond Dow Inc.’s or the depositary’s control in performing any obligations under the deposit agreement. Dow Inc.’s and the depositary’s obligations under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of Dow Inc.’s and the depositary’s duties under the deposit agreement and neither Dow Inc. nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares, depositary receipts or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The depositary and Dow Inc. may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF DOW INC.

The following description of the debt securities summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities to which a prospectus supplement may relate. Each time Dow Inc. offers debt securities, the prospectus supplement related to that offering will describe the terms of the debt securities Dow Inc. is offering.

The debt securities offered by Dow Inc. under this prospectus will be unsecured obligations of Dow Inc. and will be either senior or subordinated debt. The Dow Inc. debt securities will be issued under an indenture (the “Dow Inc. indenture”), to be entered into between Dow Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Dow Inc. Trustee”). The following summary of the debt securities and the Dow Inc. indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to the provisions of the Dow Inc. indenture, including the defined terms. Whenever we refer to particular defined terms of the Dow Inc. indenture, those defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. For additional information, you should review the form of Dow Inc. indenture, which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General

Dow Inc. may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. The Dow Inc. indenture does not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities that Dow Inc. may issue.

The debt securities will be unsecured obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of Dow Inc.’s other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will rank equally with all of Dow Inc.’s other unsecured and subordinated indebtedness, except for any series of subordinated debt securities that is by its terms junior to such subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the debt securities Dow Inc. is offering:

 

   

the title of the debt securities or the series in which the debt securities will be included;

 

   

the guarantors of each series, if any, and the terms of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any;

 

   

whether such debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, provided that in the case of subordinated debt securities, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the subordinated debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series;

 

   

the price or prices at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

   

if other than the principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable if the maturity is accelerated;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal amount of the debt securities is payable;

 

   

the interest rate or rates, or the formula by which the interest rate or rates will be determined, if any, the date from which any interest will accrue and the circumstances, if any, in which Dow Inc. may defer interest payments;

 

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the interest payment dates on which any interest will be payable, the regular record date for any interest payable on any debt securities that are registered securities on any interest payment date, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a global security on an interest payment date will be paid if different from the manner described below under “—Global Securities”;

 

   

any mandatory or optional sinking fund or analogous provisions;

 

   

each office or agency where the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable and each office or agency where the debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;

 

   

the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the debt securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part, and the other detailed terms and provisions of any optional or mandatory redemption provisions;

 

   

the denominations in which Dow Inc. may issue any debt securities which are registered securities, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies of payment of principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities;

 

   

if the amount of any payment may be determined with reference to an index or formula based on securities, commodities, intangibles, articles or goods, or any other financial, economic or other measure or instrument, including the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event or circumstance, the manner in which the amount will be determined;

 

   

any additional covenants applicable to the debt securities; and

 

   

any other terms and provisions of the debt securities not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Dow Inc. indenture.

The terms on which debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities of Dow Inc. or a third party will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering. Such terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at the option of Dow Inc. The terms may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of such debt securities may be adjusted.

The prospectus supplement also will describe any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts with respect to the debt securities.

If the purchase price of any of the debt securities is denominated in one or more foreign currencies or if the principal of, or any premium and interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies, the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to such debt securities and such foreign currency or currency units will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities (bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates) to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations, which apply to any original issue discount securities.

 

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Dow Inc. may, without notice to or consent of the holders or beneficial owners of a series of debt securities, issue additional debt securities having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms as the debt securities initially issued. Any such debt securities could be considered part of the same series of debt securities as the debt securities initially issued.

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

The debt securities may be issued as registered securities. Debt securities may be issued in the form of one or more global securities, as described below under the section of this prospectus captioned “Global Securities.” Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, registered securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only in minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple thereof. A global security will be issued in a denomination equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities represented by that global security. The prospectus supplement relating to debt securities denominated in a foreign or composite currency will specify the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued.

Registered securities of any series may be exchanged for other registered securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of different authorized denominations.

Debt securities may be presented for exchange as described in the previous paragraph, and registered securities, other than a global security, may be presented for registration of transfer, with the form of transfer duly executed, at the office of the security registrar designated by Dow Inc. or at the office of any transfer agent designated by Dow Inc. for that purpose, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the Dow Inc. indenture. The transfer or exchange will be effected when the security registrar or the transfer agent is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. Dow Inc. has initially appointed the Dow Inc. Trustee as the security registrar under the Dow Inc. indenture. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent initially designated by Dow Inc. with respect to any series of debt securities, Dow Inc. may at any time cancel the designation of the transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which the transfer agent acts, except that Dow Inc. will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the series.

Dow Inc. may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

In the event of any redemption in part, Dow Inc. will not be required to:

 

   

issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the date of the mailing of a notice of redemption of debt securities of that series selected to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; or

 

   

register the transfer of or exchange any registered security or portion of any registered security called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part.

Payments and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, Dow Inc. will pay the principal of and any premium and interest on registered securities other than a global security at the office of one or more paying agents designated by Dow Inc. At Dow Inc.’s option, however, Dow Inc. may pay any interest by check mailed to the address of the payee entitled to the interest at the address which appears in the

 

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security register. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payment of any installment of interest on registered securities will be made to the person in whose name the registered security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the applicable interest payment.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the principal office of the Dow Inc. Trustee in New York City will be Dow Inc.’s sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities which may be issued only as registered securities. Any paying agent outside the United States and any other paying agent in the United States initially designated by Dow Inc. for the debt securities will be named in the prospectus supplement. Dow Inc. may at any time designate additional paying agents, or cancel the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that Dow Inc. will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the series.

All amounts paid by Dow Inc. to a paying agent for the payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after the principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to Dow Inc. and after the repayment the holder of the debt security or any coupon related to the debt security may look only to Dow Inc. for the payment of principal of and any premium and interest on the debt security.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in registered form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged for debt securities in definitive form, a temporary global security in registered form may not be transferred except as a whole by:

 

   

the depositary for the global security to a nominee of the depositary;

 

   

a nominee of the depositary for the global security to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or

 

   

the depositary for the global security or the nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, registered debt securities issued in global form will be represented by one or more global securities deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which we refer to as DTC, or another depositary appointed by Dow Inc., and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. The debt securities will not be issued in definitive form unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement.

DTC will act as securities depositary for the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully registered global debt security certificate will be issued for each series of debt securities, each in the aggregate principal amount of such series, and will be de posited with DTC. If, however, the aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities exceeds $500 million, one certificate will be issued with respect to each $500 million of principal amount and one or more additional certificates will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of debt securities of such series.

DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a

 

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member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC has a Standard & Poor’s rating of AA+. The DTC rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security (“Beneficial Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct Participants’ and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct Participants or Indirect Participants through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct Participants and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the debt securities of a series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in the issue to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to debt securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s MMI Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to Dow Inc. as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants

 

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to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

Principal and interest payments, if any, on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detailed information from Dow Inc. or the Dow Inc. Trustee, on the applicable payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the Dow Inc. Trustee or Dow Inc., subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is Dow Inc.’s responsibility or the Dow Inc. Trustee’s, disbursement of payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants.

A Beneficial Owner must give notice to elect to have its debt securities purchased or tendered, through its Participant, to a tender agent, and shall effect delivery of debt securities by causing the Direct Participants to transfer the Participant’s interest in the debt securities, on DTC’s records, to a tender agent. The requirement for physical delivery of debt securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the debt securities are transferred by Direct Participants on DTC’s records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered debt securities to the tender agent’s account.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to Dow Inc. or the Dow Inc. Trustee. Under these circumstances, in the event Dow Inc. does not appoint a successor securities depositary, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered.

Dow Inc. may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depositary). In that event, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that Dow Inc. believes to be reliable, but Dow Inc. takes no responsibility for their accuracy.

Certain Covenants Applicable to Senior Debt Securities

Limitations on Liens

The Dow Inc. indenture provides that, subject to the exceptions described below and those set forth under “Exempted Indebtedness,” Dow Inc. may not, and may not permit any restricted subsidiary to, create or permit to exist any lien on any principal property, additions to principal property or shares of capital stock of any restricted subsidiary without equally and ratably securing the debt securities. This restriction will not apply to permitted liens, including:

 

   

liens on principal property existing at the time of its acquisition or to secure the payment of all or part of the purchase price or any additions thereto or to secure any indebtedness incurred at the time of, or within 120 days after, the acquisition of such principal property or any addition thereto;

 

   

liens existing on the date of the Dow Inc. indenture;

 

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liens on property or shares of capital stock, or arising out of any indebtedness of any corporation existing at the time the corporation becomes or is merged into Dow Inc. or a restricted subsidiary;

 

   

liens which exclusively secure debt owing to Dow Inc. or a subsidiary by a restricted subsidiary;

 

   

liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith;

 

   

liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of any court, so long as any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment, decree or order shall not have been finally terminated or so long as the period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired; or pledges or deposits to secure payment of workmen’s compensation or other insurance, good faith deposits in connection with tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money) or leases, deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, deposits to secure or in lieu of surety or appeal bonds, or deposits as security for the payment of taxes;

 

   

liens in connection with the issuance of tax-exempt industrial development or pollution control bonds or other similar bonds issued pursuant to Section 103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to finance all or any part of the purchase price of or the cost of construction, equipping or improving property; provided that those liens are limited to the property acquired or constructed or the improvement and to substantially unimproved real property on which the construction or improvement is located; provided further, that Dow Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries may further secure all or any part of such purchase price or the cost of construction of any improvements and personal property by an interest on additional property of Dow Inc. and restricted subsidiaries only to the extent necessary for the construction, maintenance and operation of, and access to, the property so acquired or constructed or the improvement;

 

   

liens arising from assignments of money due under contracts of Dow Inc. or a restricted subsidiary with the United States or any State, or any department, agency or political subdivision of the United States or any State;

 

   

liens in favor of any customer arising in respect of payments made by or on behalf of a customer for goods produced for or services rendered to customers in the ordinary course of business not exceeding the amount of those payments;

 

   

any extension, renewal or replacement of any lien referred to in any of the previous clauses; and

 

   

statutory liens, liens for taxes or assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or delinquent or which can be paid without penalty or are being contested in good faith, landlord’s liens on leased property, easements and liens of a similar nature as those described above.

Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

The Dow Inc. indenture provides that, subject to the exceptions set forth below under the section of this prospectus captioned “Exempted Indebtedness,” sale and lease-back transactions by Dow Inc. or any

 

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restricted subsidiary of any principal property are prohibited (except for temporary leases for a term, including any renewal thereof, of not more than three years and except for leases between Dow Inc. and a subsidiary or between subsidiaries) unless the net proceeds of the sale and leaseback transaction are at least equal to the fair value of the property.

Exempted Indebtedness

Dow Inc. or any restricted subsidiary may create or assume liens or enter into sale and lease-back transactions not otherwise permitted under the limitations on liens and sale and lease-back transactions described above, so long as at that time and after giving effect to the lien or sale and lease-back transaction, the sum of:

(1) the aggregate outstanding indebtedness of Dow Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries incurred after the date of the Dow Inc. indenture and secured by the proscribed liens relating to principal property; plus

(2) the aggregate discounted value of the obligations for rental payments in respect to the proscribed sale and lease-back transactions relating to principal property;

does not exceed 15 percent of consolidated net tangible assets at such time.

There are no covenants or provisions contained in the Dow Inc. indenture which protect holders of debt securities in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

Certain Definitions

The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the covenants previously described:

“Consolidated net tangible assets” means the total assets of Dow Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries as shown on or reflected in its balance sheet, less:

 

   

all current liabilities, excluding current liabilities that could be classified as long-term debt under generally accepted accounting principles and current liabilities that are by their terms extendible or renewable at the obligor’s option to a time more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount of current liabilities is being computed;

 

   

advances to entities accounted for on the equity method of accounting; and

 

   

intangible assets.

“Consolidated subsidiary” means, at any date, any subsidiary or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of Dow Inc. in its consolidated financial statements if such statements were prepared as of such date.

“Intangible assets” means the aggregate value, net of any applicable reserves, as shown on or reflected in Dow Inc.’s balance sheet, of:

 

   

all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill;

 

   

organizational and development costs;

 

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deferred charges, other than prepaid items such as insurance, taxes, interest, commissions, rents and similar items and tangible assets being amortized; and

 

   

amortized debt discount and expense, less unamortized premium.

“Principal property” means any manufacturing facility having a gross book value in excess of 1% of consolidated net tangible assets that is owned by Dow Inc. or any restricted subsidiary and located within the United States, excluding its territories and possessions and Puerto Rico, other than any facility or portion of a facility which Dow Inc.’s board of directors reasonably determines is not material to the business conducted by Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries as a whole.

“Restricted subsidiary” means any subsidiary:

 

   

of which substantially all of the property of is located, and substantially all of the business is carried on, within the United States, excluding its territories and possessions and Puerto Rico; and

 

   

that owns or operates one or more principal properties;

provided, however, restricted subsidiary shall not include a subsidiary that is primarily engaged in the business of a finance or insurance company, and branches of that finance or insurance company.

“Subsidiary” means each corporation, of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by Dow Inc. or by Dow Inc. and one or more of its subsidiaries.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Dow Inc. may not merge or consolidate or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets unless:

 

   

the successor corporation is Dow Inc. or is a domestic corporation that assumes Dow Inc.’s obligations on the debt securities and under the Dow Inc. indenture; and

 

   

after giving effect to the transaction, Dow Inc. or the successor corporation would not be in default under the Dow Inc. indenture.

Events of Default

With respect to any series of debt securities, any one of the following events will constitute an event of default under the Dow Inc. indenture:

 

  (1)

default by Dow Inc. for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on the debt securities of that series;

 

  (2)

default by Dow Inc. in the payment of any principal on the debt securities of that series;

 

  (3)

default by Dow Inc. in the payment of any sinking fund installment;

 

  (4)

default by Dow Inc. in the performance, or breach by Dow Inc., of any of the covenants or warranties contained in the Dow Inc. indenture for the benefit of the debt securities of that series which is not remedied within a period of 90 days after receipt of written notice by Dow Inc. from the Dow Inc. Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding;

 

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  (5)

Dow Inc. commences bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or consents to any bankruptcy relief sought against it;

 

  (6)

Dow Inc. becomes involved in involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings and an order for relief is entered against it, if that order remains unstayed and in effect for more than 60 consecutive days; or

 

  (7)

any other event of default established in accordance with a supplemental indenture or board resolution with respect to any series of debt securities.

No event of default described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) above with respect to a particular series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.

The Dow Inc. indenture provides that if an event of default under clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) above (but only if the event of default under clauses (4) or (7) is with respect to less than all series of debt securities then outstanding) shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Dow Inc. Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the event of default, each affected series treated as a separate class, may declare the principal of all the debt securities of each affected series, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default under clauses (4) or (7) above (but only if the event of default under clauses (4) or (7) is with respect to all of the series of debt securities then outstanding) shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Dow Inc. Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in the aggregate principal amount of all the debt securities then outstanding, treated as one class, may declare the principal of all the debt securities, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default under clauses (5) or (6) above shall have occurred, the principal of all the debt securities, together with accrued interest, will become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act by the Dow Inc. Trustee or any holder.

If prior to any judgment or decree for the payment of money due being entered or obtained, Dow Inc. delivers to the Dow Inc. Trustee an amount of money sufficient to pay all interest then due and the principal of any securities that have matured (other than through acceleration) and the Dow Inc. Trustee’s expenses and Dow Inc. has cured any defaults under the Dow Inc. indenture, then such declaration (including a declaration caused by a default in the payment of principal or interest, the payment for which has subsequently been provided) may be rescinded and annulled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series then outstanding, each such series treated as a separate class, or all debt securities treated as one class, as the case may be, as were entitled to declare such default. In addition, past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series then outstanding, each series treated as a separate class, or all debt securities treated as one class, as the case may be, as were entitled to declare such default, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on the debt securities or in respect of a covenant or provision of the Dow Inc. indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the approval of the holder of each debt security so affected.

The Dow Inc. indenture contains a provision entitling the Dow Inc. Trustee, subject to the duty of the Dow Inc. Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of debt securities before exercising any right or power under the Dow Inc. indenture at the request of the holders of the debt securities. The Dow Inc. indenture also provides that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected, each series treated as a separate class, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Dow Inc. Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Dow Inc. Trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series.

 

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The Dow Inc. indenture requires Dow Inc. to file annually with the Dow Inc. Trustee a certificate as to the absence of any default or specifying any default that exists.

Satisfaction and Discharge of Dow Inc. Indenture

The Dow Inc. indenture with respect to any series, except for the surviving obligations, including Dow Inc.’s obligation to compensate the Dow Inc. Trustee and to pay the principal of and interest on the debt securities of that series, will be discharged and canceled upon the satisfaction of specified conditions, including:

 

   

payment of all the debt securities of that series; or

 

   

the deposit with the Dow Inc. Trustee of cash or U.S. government obligations or a combination of cash and U.S. government obligations sufficient for the payment or redemption in accordance with the Dow Inc. indenture and the terms of the debt securities of that series.

Modification and Waiver

Dow Inc. and the Dow Inc. Trustee may modify and amend the Dow Inc. indenture with the consent of the holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series which is affected. No supplemental indenture may, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding debt securities:

 

   

extend the final maturity of, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest on, reduce the principal amount of, or reduce any amount payable on any redemption of, any debt securities; or

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any supplemental indenture.

Governing Law

The Dow Inc. indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

Information About the Dow Inc. Trustee

The Dow Inc. Trustee’s corporate trust office is located at 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois 60602.

The Dow Inc. Trustee’s affiliate corporate trust office in New York City is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

The following description of the debt securities summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities to which a prospectus supplement may relate. Each time TDCC offers debt securities, the prospectus supplement related to that offering will describe the terms of the debt securities TDCC is offering.

The debt securities offered by TDCC under this prospectus will be unsecured obligations of TDCC and will be either senior or subordinated debt. The TDCC debt securities will be issued under the indenture (the “TDCC Indenture”), dated as of July 26, 2019, among TDCC, Dow Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “TDCC Trustee”). The following summary of the debt securities and the TDCC Indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to the provisions of the TDCC Indenture, including the defined terms. Whenever we refer to particular defined terms of the TDCC Indenture, those defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. For additional information, you should review the TDCC Indenture, which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General

TDCC may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. The TDCC Indenture does not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities that TDCC may issue.

The debt securities will be unsecured obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of TDCC’s other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will rank equally with all of TDCC’s other unsecured and subordinated indebtedness, except for any series of subordinated debt securities that is by its terms junior to such subordinated debt securities.

Under the TDCC Indenture, Dow Inc. has agreed that if it issues a guarantee in respect of outstanding or committed indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement (as defined below), Dow Inc. will enter into a supplemental indenture with TDCC and the Trustee, substantially concurrently with the issuance of such guarantee, providing for the issuance of a guarantee on all debt securities outstanding under the TDCC Indenture from time to time. See “Description of Guarantees of Debt Securities of The Dow Chemical Company.”

The “Revolving Credit Facility Agreement” means TDCC’s $5,000,000,000 Five-Year Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2018, among TDCC, the banks from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, modified, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all of or substantially all of the indebtedness under such agreement or any such successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders. The Revolving Credit Facility was replaced by TDCC’s $5,000,000,000 Five-Year Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2021, among TDCC, the banks from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent.

The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the debt securities TDCC is offering:

 

   

the title of the debt securities or the series in which the debt securities will be included;

 

   

the guarantors of each series, if any, and the terms of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any;

 

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whether such debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, provided that in the case of subordinated debt securities, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the subordinated debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series;

 

   

the price or prices at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

   

if other than the principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable if the maturity is accelerated;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal amount of the debt securities is payable;

 

   

the interest rate or rates, or the formula by which the interest rate or rates will be determined, if any, the date from which any interest will accrue and the circumstances, if any, in which TDCC may defer interest payments;

 

   

the interest payment dates on which any interest will be payable, the regular record date for any interest payable on any debt securities that are registered securities on any interest payment date, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a global security on an interest payment date will be paid if different from the manner described below under “—Global Securities”;

 

   

any mandatory or optional sinking fund or analogous provisions;

 

   

each office or agency where the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable and each office or agency where the debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;

 

   

the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the debt securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part, and the other detailed terms and provisions of any optional or mandatory redemption provisions;

 

   

the denominations in which TDCC may issue any debt securities which are registered securities, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies of payment of principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities;

 

   

if the amount of any payment may be determined with reference to an index or formula based on securities, commodities, intangibles, articles or goods, or any other financial, economic or other measure or instrument, including the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event or circumstance, the manner in which the amount will be determined;

 

   

any additional covenants applicable to the debt securities; and

 

   

any other terms and provisions of the debt securities not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the TDCC Indenture.

The prospectus supplement also will describe any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts with respect to the debt securities.

 

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If the purchase price of any of the debt securities is denominated in one or more foreign currencies or if the principal of, or any premium and interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies, the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to such debt securities and such foreign currency or currency units will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities (bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates) to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations which apply to any original issue discount securities.

TDCC may, without notice to or consent of the holders or beneficial owners of a series of debt securities, issue additional debt securities having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms as the debt securities initially issued. Any such debt securities could be considered part of the same series of debt securities as the debt securities initially issued.

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

The debt securities may be issued as registered securities. Debt securities may be issued in the form of one or more global securities, as described below under the section of this prospectus captioned “Global Securities.” Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, registered securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only in minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple thereof. A global security will be issued in a denomination equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities represented by that global security. The prospectus supplement relating to debt securities denominated in a foreign or composite currency will specify the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued.

Registered securities of any series may be exchanged for other registered securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of different authorized denominations.

Debt securities may be presented for exchange as described in the previous paragraph, and registered securities, other than a global security, may be presented for registration of transfer, with the form of transfer duly executed, at the office of the security registrar designated by TDCC or at the office of any transfer agent designated by TDCC for that purpose, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the TDCC Indenture. The transfer or exchange will be effected when the security registrar or the transfer agent is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. TDCC has initially appointed the TDCC Trustee as the security registrar under the TDCC Indenture. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent initially designated by TDCC with respect to any series of debt securities, TDCC may at any time cancel the designation of the transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which the transfer agent acts, except that TDCC will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the series.

TDCC may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

In the event of any redemption in part, TDCC will not be required to:

 

   

issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the date of the mailing of a notice of redemption of debt securities of that series selected to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; or

 

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register the transfer of or exchange any registered security or portion of any registered security called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part.

Payments and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, TDCC will pay the principal of and any premium and interest on registered securities other than a global security at the office of one or more paying agents designated by TDCC. At TDCC’s option, however, TDCC may pay any interest by check mailed to the address of the payee entitled to the interest at the address which appears in the security register. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payment of any installment of interest on registered securities will be made to the person in whose name the registered security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the applicable interest payment.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the principal office of the TDCC Trustee in New York City will be TDCC’s sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities which may be issued only as registered securities. Any paying agent outside the United States and any other paying agent in the United States initially designated by TDCC for the debt securities will be named in the prospectus supplement. TDCC may at any time designate additional paying agents, or cancel the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that TDCC will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the series.

All amounts paid by TDCC to a paying agent for the payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after the principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to TDCC and after the repayment the holder of the debt security or any coupon related to the debt security may look only to TDCC for the payment of principal of and any premium and interest on the debt security.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in registered form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged for debt securities in definitive form, a temporary global security in registered form may not be transferred except as a whole by:

 

   

the depositary for the global security to a nominee of the depositary;

 

   

a nominee of the depositary for the global security to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or

 

   

the depositary for the global security or the nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, registered debt securities issued in global form will be represented by one or more global securities deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which we refer to as DTC, or another depositary appointed by TDCC, and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. The debt securities will not be issued in definitive form unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement.

DTC will act as securities depositary for the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other

 

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name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully registered global debt security certificate will be issued for each series of debt securities, each in the aggregate principal amount of such series, and will be de posited with DTC. If, however, the aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities exceeds $500 million, one certificate will be issued with respect to each $500 million of principal amount and one or more additional certificates will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of debt securities of such series.

DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC has a Standard & Poor’s rating of AA+. The DTC rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security (“Beneficial Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct Participants’ and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct Participants or Indirect Participants through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct Participants and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

 

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Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the debt securities of a series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in the issue to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to debt securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s MMI Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to Dow Inc. as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

Principal and interest payments, if any, on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detailed information from Dow Inc. or the TDCC Trustee, on the applicable payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the TDCC Trustee or Dow Inc., subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is Dow Inc.’s responsibility or the TDCC Trustee’s, disbursement of payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct Participants and Indirect Participants.

A Beneficial Owner must give notice to elect to have its debt securities purchased or tendered, through its Participant, to a tender agent, and shall effect delivery of debt securities by causing the Direct Participants to transfer the Participant’s interest in the debt securities, on DTC’s records, to a tender agent. The requirement for physical delivery of debt securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the debt securities are transferred by Direct Participants on DTC’s records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered debt securities to the tender agent’s account.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to TDCC or the TDCC Trustee. Under these circumstances, in the event TDCC does not appoint a successor securities depositary, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered.

TDCC may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depositary). In that event, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that TDCC believes to be reliable, but TDCC takes no responsibility for their accuracy.

Certain Covenants Applicable to Senior Debt Securities

Limitations on Liens

The TDCC Indenture provides that, subject to the exceptions described below and those set forth under “Exempted Indebtedness,” TDCC may not, and may not permit any restricted subsidiary to, create or permit to exist any lien on any principal property, additions to principal property or shares of

 

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capital stock of any restricted subsidiary without equally and ratably securing the debt securities. This restriction will not apply to permitted liens, including:

 

   

liens on principal property existing at the time of its acquisition or to secure the payment of all or part of the purchase price or any additions thereto or to secure any indebtedness incurred at the time of, or within 120 days after, the acquisition of such principal property or any addition thereto;

 

   

liens existing on the date of the TDCC Indenture;

 

   

liens on property or shares of capital stock, or arising out of any indebtedness of any corporation existing at the time the corporation becomes or is merged into TDCC or a restricted subsidiary;

 

   

liens which exclusively secure debt owing to TDCC or a subsidiary by a restricted subsidiary;

 

   

liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith;

 

   

liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of any court, so long as any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment, decree or order shall not have been finally terminated or so long as the period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired; or pledges or deposits to secure payment of workmen’s compensation or other insurance, good faith deposits in connection with tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money) or leases, deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, deposits to secure or in lieu of surety or appeal bonds, or deposits as security for the payment of taxes;

 

   

liens in connection with the issuance of tax-exempt industrial development or pollution control bonds or other similar bonds issued pursuant to Section 103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to finance all or any part of the purchase price of or the cost of construction, equipping or improving property; provided that those liens are limited to the property acquired or constructed or the improvement and to substantially unimproved real property on which the construction or improvement is located; provided further, that TDCC and its restricted subsidiaries may further secure all or any part of such purchase price or the cost of construction of any improvements and personal property by an interest on additional property of TDCC and restricted subsidiaries only to the extent necessary for the construction, maintenance and operation of, and access to, the property so acquired or constructed or the improvement;

 

   

liens arising from assignments of money due under contracts of TDCC or a restricted subsidiary with the United States or any State, or any department, agency or political subdivision of the United States or any State;

 

   

liens in favor of any customer arising in respect of payments made by or on behalf of a customer for goods produced for or services rendered to customers in the ordinary course of business not exceeding the amount of those payments;

 

   

any extension, renewal or replacement of any lien referred to in any of the previous clauses; and

 

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statutory liens, liens for taxes or assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or delinquent or which can be paid without penalty or are being contested in good faith, landlord’s liens on leased property, easements and liens of a similar nature as those described above.

Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

The TDCC Indenture provides that, subject to the exceptions set forth below under the section of this prospectus captioned “Exempted Indebtedness,” sale and lease-back transactions by TDCC or any restricted subsidiary of any principal property are prohibited (except for temporary leases for a term, including any renewal thereof, of not more than three years and except for leases between TDCC and a subsidiary or between subsidiaries) unless the net proceeds of the sale and leaseback transaction are at least equal to the fair value of the property.

Exempted Indebtedness

TDCC or any restricted subsidiary may create or assume liens or enter into sale and lease-back transactions not otherwise permitted under the limitations on liens and sale and lease-back transactions described above, so long as at that time and after giving effect to the lien or sale and lease-back transaction, the sum of:

 

  (1)

the aggregate outstanding indebtedness of TDCC and its restricted subsidiaries incurred after the date of the TDCC Indenture and secured by the proscribed liens relating to principal property; plus

 

  (2)

the aggregate discounted value of the obligations for rental payments in respect to the proscribed sale and lease-back transactions relating to principal property;

does not exceed 15 percent of consolidated net tangible assets at such time.

There are no covenants or provisions contained in the TDCC Indenture which protect holders of debt securities in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

Certain Definitions

The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the covenants previously described:

“Consolidated net tangible assets” means the total assets of TDCC and its consolidated subsidiaries as shown on or reflected in its balance sheet, less:

 

   

all current liabilities, excluding current liabilities that could be classified as long-term debt under generally accepted accounting principles and current liabilities that are by their terms extendible or renewable at the obligor’s option to a time more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount of current liabilities is being computed;

 

   

advances to entities accounted for on the equity method of accounting; and

 

   

intangible assets.

“Consolidated subsidiary” means, at any date, any subsidiary or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of TDCC in its consolidated financial statements if such statements were prepared as of such date.

 

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“Intangible assets” means the aggregate value, net of any applicable reserves, as shown on or reflected in TDCC’s balance sheet, of:

 

   

all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill;

 

   

organizational and development costs;

 

   

deferred charges, other than prepaid items such as insurance, taxes, interest, commissions, rents and similar items and tangible assets being amortized; and

 

   

amortized debt discount and expense, less unamortized premium.

“Principal property” means any manufacturing facility having a gross book value in excess of 1% of consolidated net tangible assets that is owned by TDCC or any restricted subsidiary and located within the United States, excluding its territories and possessions and Puerto Rico, other than any facility or portion of a facility which TDCC’s board of directors reasonably determines is not material to the business conducted by TDCC and its subsidiaries as a whole.

“Restricted subsidiary” means any subsidiary:

 

   

of which substantially all of the property of is located, and substantially all of the business is carried on, within the United States, excluding its territories and possessions and Puerto Rico; and

 

   

that owns or operates one or more principal properties;

provided, however, restricted subsidiary shall not include a subsidiary that is primarily engaged in the business of a finance or insurance company, and branches of that finance or insurance company.

“Subsidiary” means each corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by TDCC or by TDCC and one or more of its subsidiaries.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

TDCC may not merge or consolidate or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets unless:

 

   

the successor corporation is TDCC or is a domestic corporation that assumes TDCC’s obligations on the debt securities and under the TDCC Indenture; and

 

   

after giving effect to the transaction, TDCC or the successor corporation would not be in default under the TDCC Indenture.

Events of Default

With respect to any series of debt securities, any one of the following events will constitute an event of default under the TDCC Indenture:

 

  (1)

default by TDCC for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on the debt securities of that series;

 

  (2)

default by TDCC in the payment of any principal on the debt securities of that series;

 

  (3)

default by TDCC in the payment of any sinking fund installment;

 

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  (4)

default by TDCC in the performance, or breach by TDCC, of any of the covenants or warranties contained in the TDCC Indenture for the benefit of the debt securities of that series which is not remedied within a period of 90 days after receipt of written notice by TDCC from the TDCC Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding;

 

  (5)

TDCC commences bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or consents to any bankruptcy relief sought against it;

 

  (6)

TDCC becomes involved in involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings and an order for relief is entered against it, if that order remains unstayed and in effect for more than 60 consecutive days;

 

  (7)

default by Dow Inc. in the performance, or breach by Dow Inc., of its covenant to issue a guarantee as required by the TDCC Indenture; or

 

  (8)

any other event of default established in accordance with a supplemental indenture or board resolution with respect to any series of debt securities.

No event of default described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) or (8) above with respect to a particular series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.

The TDCC Indenture provides that if an event of default under clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (7) or (8) above (but only if the event of default under clauses (4) or (8) is with respect to less than all series of debt securities then outstanding) shall have occurred and be continuing, either the TDCC Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the event of default, each affected series treated as a separate class, may declare the principal of all the debt securities of each affected series, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default under clauses (4) or (8) above (but only if the event of default under clauses (4) or (8) is with respect to all of the series of debt securities then outstanding) shall have occurred and be continuing, either the TDCC Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in the aggregate principal amount of all the debt securities then outstanding, treated as one class, may declare the principal of all the debt securities, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default under clauses (5) or (6) above shall have occurred, the principal of all the debt securities, together with accrued interest, will become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act by the TDCC Trustee or any holder.

If prior to any judgment or decree for the payment of money due being entered or obtained, TDCC delivers to the TDCC Trustee an amount of money sufficient to pay all interest then due and the principal of any securities that have matured (other than through acceleration) and the TDCC Trustee’s expenses and TDCC has cured any defaults under the TDCC Indenture, then such declaration (including a declaration caused by a default in the payment of principal or interest, the payment for which has subsequently been provided) may be rescinded and annulled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series then outstanding, each such series treated as a separate class, or all debt securities treated as one class, as the case may be, as were entitled to declare such default. In addition, past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series then outstanding, each series treated as a separate class, or all debt securities treated as one class, as the case may be, as were entitled to declare such default, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on the debt securities or in respect of a covenant or provision of the TDCC Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the approval of the holder of each debt security so affected.

 

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The TDCC Indenture contains a provision entitling the TDCC Trustee, subject to the duty of the TDCC Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of debt securities before exercising any right or power under the TDCC Indenture at the request of the holders of the debt securities. The TDCC Indenture also provides that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected, each series treated as a separate class, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the TDCC Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the TDCC Trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series.

The TDCC Indenture requires TDCC to file annually with the TDCC Trustee a certificate as to the absence of any default or specifying any default that exists.

Satisfaction and Discharge of the TDCC Indenture

The TDCC Indenture with respect to any series, except for the surviving obligations, including TDCC’s obligation to compensate the TDCC Trustee and to pay the principal of and interest on the debt securities of that series, will be discharged and canceled upon the satisfaction of specified conditions, including:

 

   

payment of all the debt securities of that series; or

 

   

the deposit with the TDCC Trustee of cash or U.S. government obligations or a combination of cash and U.S. government obligations sufficient for the payment or redemption in accordance with the TDCC Indenture and the terms of the debt securities of that series.

Modification and Waiver

TDCC and the TDCC Trustee may modify and amend the TDCC Indenture with the consent of the holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series which is affected. No supplemental indenture may, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding debt securities:

 

   

extend the final maturity of, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest on, reduce the principal amount of, or reduce any amount payable on any redemption of, any debt securities; or

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any supplemental indenture.

Governing Law

The TDCC Indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.

Information About the TDCC Trustee

The TDCC Trustee’s corporate trust office is located at 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois 60602. The TDCC Trustee’s affiliate corporate trust office in New York City is located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES OF DOW INC.

Dow Inc. is a holding company that conducts substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries and none of its subsidiaries is obligated to make funds available to Dow Inc. for payment on the debt securities of Dow Inc.

TDCC may guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on one or more series of debt securities issued by Dow Inc. whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of the applicable guarantee and the applicable indenture. The specific terms of any such guarantee will be set forth in the prospectus supplement with respect to the offering of the guaranteed securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

Dow Inc. may guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on one or more series of debt securities issued by TDCC whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of the applicable guarantee and the applicable indenture. The specific terms of any such guarantee will be set forth in the prospectus supplement with respect to the offering of the guaranteed securities.

With respect to debt securities of TDCC, under the TDCC Indenture, Dow Inc. has agreed that if it issues a guarantee in respect of outstanding or committed indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, Dow Inc. will enter into a supplemental indenture with TDCC and the TDCC Trustee, substantially concurrently with the issuance of such guarantee, providing for the issuance of a guarantee on all debt securities outstanding under the TDCC Indenture from time to time. See “Description of Debt Securities of The Dow Chemical Company.”

TDCC is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Dow Inc. and none of Dow Inc.’s subsidiaries is obligated to make funds available to TDCC for payment on the debt securities of TDCC.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS OF DOW INC.

Dow Inc. may issue warrants, including warrants to purchase debt securities, as well as other types of warrants to purchase securities. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with any such securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. The warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between Dow Inc. and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. You should read the particular terms of the warrants, which will be described in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the general provisions summarized below do not apply to the warrants being offered. The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any warrants Dow Inc. offers will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if Dow Inc. offers warrants.

Debt Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of debt warrants offered thereby, the warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the certificates representing the debt warrants, including the following:

 

   

the title of the debt warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of debt warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the debt warrants will be issued;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the price of the debt warrants may be payable;

 

   

the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the debt warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of any related debt securities with which the debt warrants are issued, and the number of the debt warrants issued with each debt security;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which any principal, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants will be payable;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the debt warrants and the related debt securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant, and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

the maximum or minimum number of the debt warrants which may be exercised at any time;

 

   

a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations; and

 

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any other terms of the debt warrants and terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of the debt warrants.

Certificates representing debt warrants will be exchangeable for new certificates representing debt warrants of different denominations, and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities issuable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities issuable upon exercise.

Other Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any other warrants that Dow Inc. may issue:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the securities (which may include common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares) for which the warrants are exercisable;

 

   

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the price of the warrants may be payable;

 

   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares with which the warrants are issued, and the number of the warrants issued with each share of common stock or preferred stock or each depositary share;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares will be separately transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash the principal amount of debt securities or the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or depositary shares at the exercise price as will in each case be described in, or can be determined from, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offered warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the certificate representing the warrant properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other offices indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities issuable upon exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by the certificate are exercised, a new certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

TDCC may issue warrants to purchase debt securities. Debt warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from the securities. The debt warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between TDCC and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. You should read the particular terms of the debt warrants, which will be described in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the general provisions summarized below do not apply to the debt warrants being offered. The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any warrants TDCC offers will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if TDCC offers warrants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of debt warrants offered thereby, the warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the certificates representing the debt warrants, including the following:

 

   

the title of the debt warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of debt warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the debt warrants will be issued;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the price of the debt warrants may be payable;

 

   

the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the debt warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of any related debt securities with which the debt warrants are issued, and the number of the debt warrants issued with each debt security;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which any principal, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants will be payable;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the debt warrants and the related debt securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant, and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which the principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

the maximum or minimum number of the debt warrants which may be exercised at any time;

 

   

a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt warrants and terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of the debt warrants.

 

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Certificates representing debt warrants will be exchangeable for new certificates representing debt warrants of different denominations, and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities issuable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities issuable upon exercise.

Exercise of Debt Warrants

Each debt warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash the principal amount of debt securities at the exercise price as will in each case be described in, or can be determined from, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offered warrants. Debt warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised debt warrants will become void.

Debt warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the certificate representing the debt warrant properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other offices indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities issuable upon exercise. If less than all of the debt warrants represented by the certificate are exercised, a new certificate will be issued for the remaining debt warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS OF DOW INC.

Dow Inc. may issue stock purchase contracts that obligate you to purchase from Dow Inc., and obligate Dow Inc. to sell to you, a specified or varying number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the stock purchase contracts may obligate Dow Inc. to purchase from you, and obligate you to sell to Dow Inc., a specified or varying number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock or preferred stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are entered into or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. Any stock purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares to be delivered pursuant to the stock purchase contract upon the occurrence of specified events. The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any stock purchase contract or stock purchase unit Dow Inc. offers will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable stock purchase contract or stock purchase unit, which will be filed with the SEC if Dow Inc. offers stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units.

The stock purchase contracts may be entered into separately or as a part of stock purchase units consisting of a stock purchase contract and, as security for your obligations to purchase or sell the shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, under the stock purchase contracts, either:

 

   

common stock;

 

   

preferred stock;

 

   

Dow Inc. debt securities; or

 

   

debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities.

The stock purchase contracts may require Dow Inc. to make periodic payments to you or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or deferred basis. The stock purchase contracts may require you to secure your obligations in a specified manner, and, in some circumstances, Dow Inc. may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts upon release to you of any collateral securing your obligations under the original stock purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid stock purchase contracts. However, that description will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to:

 

   

the stock purchase contracts;

 

   

the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units; and

 

   

if applicable, the prepaid stock purchase contracts and the document pursuant to which the prepaid stock purchase contracts will be issued.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Registrants may sell the securities:

 

   

directly to purchasers, or

 

   

through agents, underwriters or dealers, or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

The Registrants may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

The Registrants may determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. The Registrants will describe how any auction will determine the price or any other terms, how potential investors may participate in the auction and the nature of the underwriters’ obligations in the related supplement to this prospectus.

The Registrants may designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. These agents may be deemed to be underwriters, as defined in the Securities Act, involved in the offer or sale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will name the agents and any commissions the Registrants pay them. Agents may be entitled to indemnification by the Registrants against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, under agreements between the Registrants and the agents, and the agents or their affiliates may extend credit to or engage in transactions with or perform services for the Registrants in the ordinary course of business. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a reasonable efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

If the Registrants use any underwriters in the sale of any of the securities, the Registrants will enter into an underwriting agreement with them at the time of sale and the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement that the underwriters use to make resales of the securities. The underwriters may be entitled under the relevant underwriting agreement to indemnification by the Registrants against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and the underwriters or their affiliates may extend credit to or engage in transactions with or perform services for the Registrants in the ordinary course of business.

If the Registrants use dealers in the sale of the securities, the Registrants will sell the securities to those dealers, as principal. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by them at the time of resale. Dealers may be entitled to indemnification by the Registrants against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and the dealers or their affiliates may extend credit to or engage in transactions with or perform services for the Registrants in the ordinary course of business.

Shares of Dow Inc. common stock are principally traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Each series of securities will be a new issue and, other than Dow Inc.’s common stock, will have no established trading market. The Registrants may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and in the case of Dow Inc.’s common stock, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Registrants will not be obligated to do so. The Registrants can give no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the offered securities.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, the validity of the issuance of the securities offered hereby has been passed on by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York. Certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Mayer Brown LLP, Chicago, Illinois, will act as legal counsel to the underwriters, agents or dealers. Mayer Brown LLP has from time to time acted as counsel for Dow and its subsidiaries and may do so in the future.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries (“Dow Chemical”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Dow Chemical’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the effectiveness of Dow Chemical’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Dow”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Dow’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the effectiveness of Dow’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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