Edgar Filing: DOW CHEMICAL CO /DE/

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S-3ASR

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2016

Registration Statement No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

The Dow Chemical Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

38-1285128

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

The Dow Chemical Company

2030 Dow Center

Midland, Michigan 48674

(989) 636-1000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Charles J. Kalil

General Counsel and Executive Vice President

The Dow Chemical Company

2030 Dow Center

Midland, Michigan 48674

(989) 636-1000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:


Richard B. Alsop, Esq.		Edward S. Best, Esq.
Shearman & Sterling LLP		Mayer Brown LLP
599 Lexington Avenue		71 South Wacker Drive
New York, New York 10022		Chicago, Illinois 60606
(212) 848-4000		(312) 782-0600

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined by market conditions and other factors.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of each class of securities to be registered*		Amount to be registered/ Proposed maximum offering price per unit/ Proposed maximum aggregate offering price/ Amount of registration fee
Debt securities(3)		(1)(2)
Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

*	Additional securities (including securities to be issued by additional registrants) may be added by automatically effective post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 413.

(1)

An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number of securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the Registrant will pay “pay-as-you-go registration fees” in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).

(2)	Includes an unspecified number of securities that may be offered or sold by affiliates of the Registrant in market-making transactions.

(3)	Subject to note (1), an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated.

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

The Dow Chemical Company

Debt Securities

Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

The Dow Chemical Company will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any of these securities.

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.

You should carefully read and consider the risk factors included in our periodic reports and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission before you invest in our securities.

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.

October 28, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS


	Page
About This Prospectus		i

The Dow Chemical Company		1

Use of Proceeds		1

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges		1

Description of Debt Securities		2

Description of Debt Warrants		13

Plan of Distribution		15

Validity of Securities		16

Experts		16

Where You Can Find More Information		16

Information Incorporated by Reference		17

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any supplement. Dow has not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. Dow is offering these securities only in states where the offer is permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Dow’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

In this prospectus, references to “Dow,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to The Dow Chemical Company and do not include its subsidiaries, except under the caption “The Dow Chemical Company.”

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed by Dow with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration 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. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities to be offered. The registration statement, including the exhibits, can be read at the SEC web site or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

Dow combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from material, polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s integrated, market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 180 countries and in high-growth sectors such as packaging, electronics, water, coatings and agriculture. In 2015, Dow had annual sales of nearly $49 billion and employed approximately 49,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 6,000 product families are manufactured at 179 sites in 35 countries across the globe. On June 1, 2016, Dow became the 100 percent owner of Dow Corning Corporation’s silicones business, a global company with sales of greater than $4.5 billion in 2015, 25 manufacturing sites in 9 countries and approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. The Company conducts its worldwide operations through global businesses, which are reported in five operating segments: Agricultural Sciences, Consumer Solutions, Infrastructure Solutions, Performance Materials & Chemicals and Performance Plastics.

On December 11, 2015, Dow and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”) announced the approval of a definitive agreement under which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals. The combined company will be named DowDuPont, and Dow will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of DowDuPont. Dow and DuPont remain focused on closing the transaction and continue to work constructively with regulatory agencies in all relevant jurisdictions. Given current regulatory agency status, closing would be expected to occur in the first quarter of 2017, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of all regulatory approvals. The companies intend to subsequently pursue a separation of DowDuPont into three independent, publicly traded companies.

Additional information concerning Dow and its subsidiaries is included in the documents filed with the SEC and incorporated in this prospectus by reference. See the discussion under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

USE OF PROCEEDS

Dow expects to use the net proceeds from sales of any securities described in this prospectus for its general corporate purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, funding capital expenditures, pursuing growth initiatives, whether through acquisitions, joint ventures or otherwise, repaying or refinancing indebtedness or other obligations, and financing working capital. Pending the application of the net proceeds, Dow expects to invest the net proceeds in marketable securities or reduce its short-term indebtedness.

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

6.2x

8.5x

5.3x

6.1x

2.3x

3.2x

For the purposes of these ratios, earnings consist of income before income taxes and equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates; plus fixed charges, amortization of capitalized interest and distributed income of earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates; minus capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and amortization of debt discount, capitalized interest, and a portion of rentals deemed to represent an interest factor.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

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 offers debt securities, the prospectus supplement related to that offering will describe the terms of the debt securities Dow is offering.

The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be unsecured obligations of Dow and will be either senior or subordinated debt. The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of May 1, 2008, which we refer to as the senior indenture, between Dow and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into later, which we refer to as the subordinated indenture, between Dow and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. We refer to the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture collectively as the indentures. The following summary of the debt securities and the indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to the provisions of the indentures, including the defined terms. Whenever we refer to particular defined terms of the indentures, those defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. For additional information, you should review the relevant indenture or form of indenture that is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The debt securities are the sole obligation of Dow. Following the merger with DuPont, Dow will be a wholly owned subsidiary of DowDuPont. Any debt securities issued by Dow will have no recourse to DowDuPont. DowDuPont is not expected to guarantee the notes. The obligations and covenants below are only applicable to Dow and its consolidated subsidiaries.

General

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

The debt securities will be unsecured obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of Dow’s other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will rank equally with all of Dow’s other unsecured and subordinated indebtedness, except for a 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 is offering:

•

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

•

whether such debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

•

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

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

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

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

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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 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;

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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;

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the denominations in which Dow may issue any debt securities which are registered securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

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

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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

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

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.

Dow 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 $1,000 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 or at the office of any transfer agent designated by Dow for that purpose, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the 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 has initially appointed the trustee as the security registrar under the indenture. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent initially designated by Dow with respect to any series of debt securities, Dow 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 will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the series.

Dow 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 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 publication 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 publication 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 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. At Dow’s option, however, Dow 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 trustee in New York City will be Dow’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 for the debt securities will be named in the prospectus supplement. Dow 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 will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the series.

All amounts paid by Dow 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 and after the repayment the holder of the debt security or any coupon related to the debt security may look only to Dow 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, 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 securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee). One fully registered global security 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.

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 pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other similar organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to indirect participants such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and 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 is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. These beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive a written confirmation providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct 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 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 participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will effect no 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 the debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Delivery 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 within an issue 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. will consent or vote with respect to debt securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to Dow 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., as nominee of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from Dow or the 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 that participant and not of DTC, the trustee or Dow, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to Cede & Co. is Dow’s responsibility or the trustee’s, disbursement of payments to direct participants shall be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct 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 depository with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to Dow or the trustee. Under these circumstances, in the event Dow does not appoint a successor securities depository, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered.

Dow may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). 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 believes to be reliable, but Dow takes no responsibility for their accuracy.

Certain Covenants Applicable to Senior Debt Securities

Limitations on Liens

The senior indenture provides that, subject to the exceptions described below and those set forth under “Exempted Indebtedness,” Dow 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:

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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;

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liens existing on the date of the 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 or a restricted subsidiary;

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

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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;

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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;

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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 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 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;

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liens arising from assignments of money due under contracts of Dow 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;

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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;

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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 senior 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 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 Dow 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 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 and its restricted subsidiaries incurred after the date of the 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 10% of consolidated net tangible assets at such time.

There are no covenants or provisions contained in the 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 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;

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

•

intangible assets.

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

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

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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

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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 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’s board of directors reasonably determines is not material to the business conducted by Dow 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 or by Dow and one or more of its subsidiaries.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to the subordinated debt securities.

The subordinated debt securities will, to the extent described in the subordinated indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness (as defined below). Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors pursuant to any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding of ours, the holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to payment in full of any principal, premium, if any, and interest on such senior indebtedness, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to any payment in respect of any principal, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities. Because of the subordination, our creditors may ratably recover less than the holders of senior indebtedness, and more than the holders of the subordinated debt securities, upon liquidation or insolvency.

If the maturity of any subordinated debt securities is accelerated, the holders at that time of all senior indebtedness then outstanding will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment of any principal, premium, if any, and interest on the subordinated debt securities.

No principal, premium or interest payments may be made in respect of the subordinated debt securities if:

•

a default beyond any grace period in any payment of principal, interest or any other monetary amounts has occurred and is continuing regarding any senior indebtedness;

•

an event of default resulting in the acceleration of the maturity of any senior indebtedness has occurred and is continuing;

•

any judicial proceeding is pending regarding any such default; or

•

Dow dissolves, winds-up, liquidates or reorganizes, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise.

For purposes of the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture, the payment, issuance and delivery of cash, property or securities, other than stock and our specified subordinated securities, upon conversion of a subordinated debt security, is a principal payment in respect of the subordinated debt security.

The subordinated indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of additional senior indebtedness, including indebtedness that is senior to the subordinated debt securities, but subordinate to our other obligations. The senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness under the subordinated indenture.

The term “senior indebtedness” includes all amounts due on and obligations incurred in connection with any of the following, whether outstanding at the date the subordinated indenture is executed, or incurred or created after the subordinated indenture is executed, unless the instrument creating or evidencing the obligation provides that it is not senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities, or is equally senior with or junior to the subordinated debt securities:

•

our indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, incurred for money borrowed or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments;

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our reimbursement obligations and other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, regarding letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances issued for our account, or similar credit transactions;

•

obligations and liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in respect of leases by us as lessee that are accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on our balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

•

our obligations and liabilities, contingent or otherwise, issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, as conditional sale obligations, or under any title retention agreements;

•

all direct or indirect guarantees or similar agreements in respect of, and obligations or liabilities, contingent or otherwise, to purchase or otherwise acquire or assure a creditor against our loss in respect of, indebtedness, obligations, dividends, or liabilities of another person described in any of the four immediately preceding provisions;

•

any indebtedness described in any of the five immediately preceding provisions and that is secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property owned or held by us, regardless of whether the indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed by us; and

•

any deferrals, renewals, extensions and refunds of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability described in any of the five immediately preceding provisions.

“Senior indebtedness” will not include trade accounts payable, accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business or indebtedness to our subsidiaries.

The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities of a particular series.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

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

•

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

•

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

(1) default by Dow for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on the debt securities of that series;

(2) default by Dow in the payment of any principal on the debt securities of that series;

(3) default by Dow in the payment of any sinking fund installment;

(4) default by Dow in the performance, or breach by Dow, of any of the covenants or warranties contained in the 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 from the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding;

(5) Dow commences bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or consents to any bankruptcy relief sought against it;

(6) Dow 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 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 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 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 trustee or any holder.

If prior to any judgment or decree for the payment of money due being entered or obtained, Dow delivers to the 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 trustee’s expenses and Dow has cured any defaults under the 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 indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the approval of the holder of each debt security so affected.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at Dow’s election, the sole remedy for an event of default specified in clause (4) above relating to the failure by Dow to comply with the covenant in the indenture requiring Dow to file with the trustee copies of the reports and other information it files with the SEC (“Dow’s SEC filing obligations”) and for any failure by Dow to comply with the requirements of Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), which similarly requires Dow to file with the trustee copies of the reports and other information it files with the SEC, shall for the first 270 days after the occurrence of such an event of default consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the debt securities of such series at an annual rate equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the debt securities. This additional interest will accrue on the debt securities from and including the date on which an event of default relating to a failure to comply with Dow’s SEC filing obligations or the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 314(a)(1) of the TIA first occurs to but not including the 270th day thereafter (or such earlier date on which the event of default shall have been cured or waived). On such 270th day (or earlier, if such event of default is cured or waived prior to such 270th day), such additional interest will cease to accrue and, if such event of default has not been cured or waived prior to such 270^th day, then either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding may declare the principal of all the debt securities of such series, together with accrued interest, to be due and payable immediately. This provision shall not affect the rights of holders in the event of the occurrence of any other event of default.

The indenture contains a provision entitling the trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the holders of debt securities before exercising any right or power under the indenture at the request of the holders of the debt securities. The 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 trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series.

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

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

The indenture with respect to any series, except for the surviving obligations, including Dow’s obligation to compensate the 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 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 indenture and the terms of the debt securities of that series.

Modification and Waiver

Dow and the trustee may modify and amend the 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 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 Trustee

The trustee’s corporate trust office is located at 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, Illinois 60602. The trustee’s principal corporate trust office is located at 400 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, California 90071.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities (“debt warrants”). 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 us 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.

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

•

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.

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.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Dow may sell the securities:

•

directly to purchasers, or

•

through agents, underwriters or dealers, or

•

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

Dow 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.

Dow may determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. Dow 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.

Dow 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 of 1933, involved in the offer or sale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will name the agents and any commissions Dow pays them. Agents may be entitled to indemnification by Dow against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, under agreements between Dow and the agents, and the agents or their affiliates may extend credit to or engage in transactions with or perform services for Dow 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 Dow uses any underwriters in the sale of any of the securities, Dow 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 Dow against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and the underwriters or their affiliates may extend credit to or engage in transactions with or perform services for Dow in the ordinary course of business.

If Dow uses dealers in the sale of the securities, Dow 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 Dow against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and the dealers or their affiliates may extend credit to or engage in transactions with or perform services for Dow in the ordinary course of business.

Each series of securities will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. Dow may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, Dow will not be obligated to do so. Dow can give no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the offered securities.

VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, the validity of those securities, other than capital securities, will be passed upon for Dow by Eric P. Blackhurst, Dow’s Assistant General Counsel—Corporate and Financial Law or another of Dow’s lawyers named in the applicable prospectus supplement. 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 and the related financial statement schedule of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Dow’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Dow files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act, as amended. You may read and copy that information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information relating to the Public Reference Room. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.

The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, including Dow, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about Dow at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows Dow to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that Dow can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules).

This prospectus incorporates by reference the following:

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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015;

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Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016, and September 30, 2016;

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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 2, 2016, February 3, 2016, February 26, 2016, April 6, 2016, May 13, 2016, May 17, 2016, June 1, 2016, June 28, 2016, July 20, 2016, August 11, 2016, and September 2, 2016;

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Our definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 1, 2016 and definitive additional materials filed on April 25, 2016 (but only with respect to the information under the following captions: “Corporate Governance,” “Agenda Item 1: Election as Director,” “Compensation and Leadership Development Committee Report,” “Compensation Information” “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” “Beneficial Ownership of Company Stock,” “Agenda Item 2: Ratification of the Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Audit Committee Report”); and

•

Our definitive Proxy Statement filed on June 10, 2016 (but only with respect to the information under the following captions: “Risk Factors,” and “Dow Proposal 1 and DuPont Proposal 1: The Adoption of the Merger Agreement”).

Dow also incorporates by reference any future filings it makes with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until Dow has sold all of the securities to which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated. Dow’s subsequent filings with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus.

You may obtain a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement at no cost by writing to or telephoning Dow at the following address and telephone number:

Investor Relations The Dow Chemical Company 2030 Dow Center Midland, Michigan 48674 Telephone: 989-636-1463

Dow has not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about Dow that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that have been incorporated into this document. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is an offer to sell or buy only the securities described in this document, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby:


SEC registration fee				(1)(2)
Printing and engraving costs				(2)
Legal fees and expenses				(2)
Accounting fees and expenses				(2)
Trustee fees and expenses				(2)
Rating agency fees				(2)
Miscellaneous				(2)
Total				(2)

(1)	Deferred in accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act.

(2)	An estimate of the total expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

Under Article VI of its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Dow may indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents to such extent as is permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware and as Dow’s bylaws may from time to time provide. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware empowers Dow to indemnify, subject to the standards and limitations therein prescribed, any person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought or threatened by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Dow or is or was serving in such capacity with respect to another corporation or other enterprise at the request of Dow. Under Section VI of Dow’s bylaws, Dow is required to indemnify its directors, officers and employees to the full extent permitted by Delaware law whenever such a person is, or is threatened to be made, a defendant in any threatened, pending or completed legal proceeding. Section VI also gives Dow discretion to indemnify directors, officers, employees and agents in any threatened, pending or completed legal proceedings to which they are, or are threatened to be made, a party. Dow maintains a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy that indemnifies Dow’s directors and officers against certain losses in connection with claims made against them for certain wrongful acts.

Item 16.

Exhibits.

A list of exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference is contained in the Exhibit Index which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17.

Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,

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represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

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(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of Dow’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement will be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions described in Item 15 above, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the County of Midland, State of Michigan, on October 28, 2016.


THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

By:		/s/ Howard I. Ungerleider
		Howard I. Ungerleider Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on October 28, 2016.


SIGNATURE		TITLE

* A.N. Liveris		Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board (principal executive officer)

/s/ Howard I. Ungerleider H.I. Ungerleider		Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)

* R.C. Edmonds		Controller and Vice President of Controllers and Tax (principal accounting officer)

* A. Banga		Director

* J.K. Barton		Director

* J.A. Bell		Director

* R.K. Davis		Director

* J.M. Fettig		Lead Director

* M. Loughridge		Director

* R.J. Milchovich		Director

* R.S. Miller		Director

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SIGNATURE		TITLE

* P. Polman		Director

* D.H. Reilley		Director

* J.M. Ringler		Director

* R.G. Shaw		Director

*By:

/s/ Howard I. Ungerleider

Attorney-in-Fact

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EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number		Description

1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to debt securities of The Dow Chemical Company

2.1**		Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among The Dow Chemical Company, Diamond-Orion Holdco, Inc., Diamond Merger Sub, Inc., Orion Merger Sub, Inc. and E.I du Pont de Nemours and Company, dated as of December 11, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2015)

4.1**		Senior Indenture dated as of May 1, 2008 between The Dow Chemical Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 filed on May 6, 2008 (File No. 333-140859))

4.2**		Form of Subordinated Indenture between The Dow Chemical Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on February 23, 2007 (File No. 333-140859))

4.3*		Form of Warrant Agreement relating to the warrants of The Dow Chemical Company

5.1		Opinion of Eric P. Blackhurst, Assistant General Counsel—Corporate and Financial Law of The Dow Chemical Company, as to the validity of the debt securities and warrants to purchase debt securities

12.1**		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016)

23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

23.2		Consent of Ankura Consulting Group, LLC

23.3		Consent of Eric P. Blackhurst (included in Exhibit 5.1)

24.1		Power of Attorney

25.1		Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, for the Senior Indenture dated as of May 1, 2008

25.2		Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, for the form of Subordinated Indenture

*	To be filed as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K or by a post-effective amendment.

**	Incorporated by Reference

II-6

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