Dow is a globally leading diversified chemical company that integrates sustainability principles into chemistry and innovation, committed to addressing many challenges in today's world, such as meeting the demand for clean water, improving energy efficiency, achieving renewable energy production, and increasing crop yields. With its leading businesses in specialty chemistry, high-tech materials, Agricultural science and plastics, Dow provides customers in 160 countries and regions around the world with a wide range of products and services, which are used in high-speed developing markets such as electronic products, water treatment, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow's annual sales amounted to $45 billion, with 52000 employees worldwide, 214 production bases in 37 countries, and over 5000 products.