Union Carbide

Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) is an American chemical company based in Seadrift, Texas. Since 2001, it has been fully owned by the Dow Chemical Company. Union Carbide makes chemicals and polymers that customers use to create everyday products. These products are used in many areas, such as paints, packaging, wires, household items, personal care items, medicines, cars, textiles, farming, and oil and gas.

The company started in 1917 as the Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, formed from a merger with the National Carbon Company. Its researchers discovered a better way to make ethylene from natural gas liquids like ethane and propane. This helped start the modern petrochemical industry. Over time, Union Carbide sold many of its businesses, such as Eveready and Energizer batteries, Glad bags, Simoniz car wax, and Prestone antifreeze. Before joining Dow, it also sold electronic chemicals, polyurethane products, industrial gases, and carbon products. Today, Union Carbide is still an important part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

History

The Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation started on November 1, 1917, when several companies joined together. It made chemicals for cars and later made many other products. In 1957, it changed its name to Union Carbide Corporation.

During the Cold War, the company worked on aerospace projects, making materials for rockets and missiles. In 1986, it sold its battery business, which included brands like Eveready and Energizer. After a big accident in 1984, Union Carbide had money problems and sold many of its brands. In 2001, Dow Chemical Company bought Union Carbide, and it became part of Dow.

Hawks Nest Tunnel disaster

Main article: Hawks Nest Tunnel disaster

The Hawks Nest Tunnel disaster happened between 1927 and 1932 in West Virginia during a tunnel project led by Union Carbide. Workers found a mineral called silica. They were asked to mine it but did not have proper masks or breathing equipment. Because of this, many workers got very sick with a lung disease called silicosis.

A congressional hearing talked about what happened. Many workers sadly died because of this disaster.

Asbestos mining and 'Calidria' brand fibers

In the early 1960s, Union Carbide Corporation began mining a material called chrysotile asbestos near King City and New Idria, California. They sold these fibers under the name "Calidria," a mix of "Cal" and "Idria." People used these fibers in building materials. In the 1980s, Union Carbide sold the mine to its employees. The employees ran the mine for a few more years.

1984 Bhopal disaster

Main article: Bhopal disaster

Union Carbide India Limited, owned partly by Union Carbide and partly by Indian investors, ran a factory in Bhopal, a crowded city in Madhya Pradesh. This factory made chemicals, but it was placed too close to where many people lived.

On December 3, 1984, dangerous gas leaked from the factory. This gas hurt many people living nearby. Sadly, many people died, and thousands more were injured. It became one of the worst industrial accidents in history. The company later paid money to help the victims, but the area has still not been fully cleaned up.

1985 West Virginia gas leak

One year after the Bhopal disaster, a problem at a Union Carbide plant in Institute, West Virginia let out a cloud of gas. This gas hurt six workers and made about 200 nearby people feel sick. The gas was from a chemical used in a farm pesticide called Temik. Union Carbide said the problem was a faulty valve and said it was not a danger to the community.

Union Carbide in Australia

Union Carbide started in Australia in 1957. They bought a factory from a company called Timbrol Ltd. The factory was near Sydney in a place called Rhodes, close to Homebush Bay.

The factory made chemicals for insecticides and herbicides.

Union Carbide stopped working at this site in 1985. Later, they had to clean up the area because of pollution left behind. The cleanup took several years. It involved removing a lot of soil and sediment to make the area safe again.

New York headquarters building

Main article: 270 Park Avenue (1960–2021)

The former Union Carbide headquarters was at 270 Park Avenue in New York City. This 52-story building was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and finished in 1960. In 1983, Union Carbide moved its offices to Danbury, Connecticut. The building was later used by JPMorgan Chase until it was torn down to make way for a new, taller tower.

Leadership

Union Carbide had many leaders over the years. Some presidents included George O. Knapp from 1917 to 1925, Jesse J. Ricks from 1925 to 1941, and Warren M. Anderson from 1976 to 1982.

Other important leaders were the chairs of the board, such as Fred H. Haggerson from 1951 to 1958 and Robert D. Kennedy from 1986 to 1995.