EVA Copolymer (Footwear Midsole Foam)

World #2 EVA producer (~310,000 t capacity across Korea + IPC); EVA is a core footwear-foam and solar-encapsulant material.

Dow Inc. (Midland, Michigan; NYSE: DOW; ~$45B revenue) is a major global EPDM producer through its Performance Elastomers division, producing NORDEL EPDM. NORDEL is manufactured primarily at Dow's Freeport, Texas complex (one of the largest integrated chemical sites in North America) and at European facilities. NORDEL EPDM is used in automotive weatherstripping, roofing, wire insulation, and plumbing seals. Dow is estimated to hold ~15-18% of global EPDM capacity. The NORDEL brand has been a benchmark EPDM product since the 1960s (originally DuPont, transferred to Dow in 2019 DuPont-Dow merger split). Dow's integrated Freeport site gives it ethylene and propylene feedstock advantages for EPDM production cost.

One of the world's largest oil and gas companies; major US and global sulfur producer as a Claus Process refinery byproduct. Key US refining locations: Baytown, Texas (largest US refinery complex); Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Beaumont, Texas. Also major international refiner (Antwerp, Rotterdam). USGS listed as one of leading US recovered sulfur producers. Also holds 25% of Tengizchevroil (TCO) in Kazakhstan, making it indirectly a significant producer of high-sulfur crude and associated sulfur. Acquired Pioneer Natural Resources 2024 (~$60B), largest US oil deal since Exxon-Mobil merger.

Formosa Plastics Corporation (Taipei Taiwan; TWSE: 1301; part of Formosa Plastics Group; ~NT$500B revenue) is one of the world's largest PP producers with a significant US manufacturing presence at Point Comfort TX (on Matagorda Bay, Gulf Coast). Formosa's Point Comfort complex includes a world-scale PP plant (capacity ~1.0 million tonnes/year) and an ethylene cracker. Formosa produces specialty PP grades including high-MFR grades suitable for meltblown nonwoven production for US and export markets. The Point Comfort site is Formosa's largest North American manufacturing facility and serves as the supply hub for US meltblown PP. Formosa Plastics Group companies also operate PP plants in Taiwan (Mailiao refinery complex), Vietnam, and Texas. Total PP production capacity across the group exceeds 3 million tonnes/year. Formosa contributed meltblown-grade PP to US domestic PPE manufacturers during COVID shortages.

World's largest contract manufacturer of branded athletic/casual footwear (Nike, adidas, etc.); EVA midsole foaming in Vietnam/China/Indonesia.