MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dow (NYSE: DOW) announced today that it has reached an agreement for the divestiture of its Acetone Derivatives business to ALTIVIA Ketones & Additives, LLC, an affiliate of ALTIVIA, a privately held producer of chemicals headquartered in Houston, Texas.

“This divestiture illustrates Dow’s disciplined approach to portfolio management with a best owner mindset,” said Jim Fitterling, chief executive officer of Dow. “It is beneficial to both parties and, in the case of Dow, is directly aligned with our more focused portfolio and goal of driving a higher return on invested capital.”

The divestiture includes production assets located in Institute, West Virginia, in addition to the site infrastructure, land and utilities. Dow will remain a tenant on the Institute site, retaining ownership of certain manufacturing assets.

The transaction enables the acetone derivatives business to continue reliably and safely serving its customers. Additionally, it allows the Institute site to continue providing site infrastructure services to partners at the site. Both companies are working together on a seamless transition plan for all stakeholders. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions.

Acetone derivatives are widely used as solvents and as chemical intermediates. They are used in the coatings industry as solvents for nitrocellulose and other cellulose ethers and for vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate and other resins. They are also used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, plastics, fibers and films.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines one of the broadest technology sets in the industry with asset integration, focused innovation and global scale to achieve profitable growth and become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company. Dow’s portfolio of performance materials, industrial intermediates and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for our customers in high-growth segments, such as packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 113 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,000 people. Dow delivered pro forma sales of approximately $50 billion in 2018. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.