Dow halting production at 2 polyol plants

MIDLAND, Mich. (March 7)—Dow Chemical Co. said it will cease operations at polyol facilities in Zwijndrecht, Belgium, and Durban, South Africa. The plants have a combined annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons, operate under contract for Dow, and are scheduled to close by year-end, a company spokesman said. The Durban factory is Dow's only polyurethane unit in Africa.