DuPont

Dow and DuPont have apparently agreed that they would be in a stronger position as a merged company with powerful synergies to successfully navigate an eventual breakup into more specialized units. The tentative deal also may signify the next step in the evolution of the global plastics industry, a shift in focus to specialty and advanced engineered plastics from oil-based petrochemical mainstays like polyethylene. Both companies have realized the need to get bigger before they can get smaller.