Dow Chemical 2013 Annual Report Download - page 31

9
Agricultural Sciences is focused on delivering results through technology leadership, including the following:
• SmartStax® Insect Trait Technology(1)
• POWERCORE™ Insect Trait Technology(1)
• REFUGE ADVANCED® powered by SmartStax®(1)
• ENLIST™ Weed Control System(2)
• Omega-9 Healthier Oils
• New crop protection technologies - sulfoxaflor, spinetoram, pyroxsulam, aminopyralid and penoxsulam
(1) Smartstax® and POWERCORE™ multi-event technology developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC and Monsanto. Smartstax®,
the Smartstax® logo, POWERCORE™ and the POWERCORE™ logo are trademarks of Monsanto Technology, LLC.
(2) Components of the ENLIST™ Weed Control System have not yet received regulatory approvals; approvals are pending.
Patents, Trademarks and Licenses
Agricultural Sciences has significant technology-driven growth, led by plant biotechnology traits and crop protection products
that utilize proprietary formulations. As a result, the Company uses patents, trademarks, licenses and registrations to protect its
investment in germplasm, traits and proprietary chemistries and formulations. The Company also licenses plant biotechnology
traits from third parties and engages in research collaborations with global industry, academia, and governments. The Company
does not regard the Agricultural Sciences segment as being materially dependent on any single or group of related patents,
trademarks, licenses or registrations.
Competition
Agricultural Sciences competes with producers of crop protection chemicals and agricultural biotechnology in the United States
and abroad. The Company competes on the basis of technology and trait leadership, price, quality and cost competitiveness.
Key competitors include BASF, Bayer, E. I. DuPont de Nemours, Monsanto and Syngenta.
Distribution
Agricultural Sciences has a diverse worldwide network which markets and distributes the Company's brands to customers
globally. This network consists of the Company's sales and marketing organization partnering with distributors, independent
retailers and growers, cooperatives and agents throughout the world.
Seasonality
Agricultural Sciences sales and EBITDA are strongest in the first half of the year, aligning with the planting and growing
season in the northern hemisphere, where approximately 65 percent of the segment's annual sales are generated. Inventory tends
to be at its low point in the second quarter of the year, consistent with peak sales in the northern hemisphere, and reaches its
highest levels in the third and fourth quarters. Accounts receivable tend to be highest in the first quarter of the year, also
consistent with the peak sales period.
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
The Performance Materials segment is comprised of eleven market-focused, technology-driven, customer-centric businesses
that are advantaged through integration and driven by innovative technology and solutions. Products produced by this segment
are back-integrated into feedstocks, supporting a low-cost manufacturing base and consistent, reliable supply. The Performance
Materials segment is positioned for growth through diverse markets and product offerings. The segment has broad geographic
reach with sales in over 140 countries and manufacturing facilities located in all geographic areas. Performance Materials has a
diverse product line that serves customers in a large number of industries, including automotive, consumer, construction,
infrastructure, oil and gas, appliance and electronics.
Details on Performance Materials' 2013 sales, by business and geographic area, are as follows: