Press Release

Dow and Unilever Help Deliver a Healthier World, One Touch at a Time, for Global Handwashing Day

Handwashing can be a first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold – which is responsible for some 22 million lost days of school – to the more serious meningitis and flu[1]. As part of its 2025 Sustainability Goals, Dow (NYSE: DOW) participated in Global Handwashing Day by educating students under the theme “A Healthier World, One Touch at a Time.”

Published 9 years ago | About a 4 minute read

Each year October 15 marks Global Handwashing Day, a time for awareness and education regarding the importance of handwashing with soap. For 2015, in partnership with Unilever, Dow dispatched more than 40 volunteers to kindergartens and primary schools to teach young children proper handwashing methods in Singapore. The event included fun, interactive activities including story-telling, dancing and singing with the overall goal of instilling a serious commitment to proper handwashing practices.

“We’re proud to recognize Global Handwashing Day with further awareness and educational activities that help advance this important cause,” said Ralf Brinkmann, business president, Dow Consumer Care. “We believe in the power of the human element to change the world. Dow places a high value on listening to our communities. We strive not just to be a good neighbor, but an excellent global corporate citizen.”

Dow’s participation in Global Handwashing Day underscores its role in offering a positive impact on health and hygiene around the world. Unilever’s Lifebuoy™, the world’s #1 germ protection soap, uses DOW POLYOX™ Water-Soluble Polymers in its formulation, creating a soap that lasts longer, provides better value and feels great on the skin.

Choosing the Right Technology

As part of Global Handwashing Day 2015, Dow also highlighted the importance of choosing the right technology for given body wash formulations by launching its new video for ACULYN™ Excel Rheology Modifiers. This technology can help enhance texture, enable suspension of active ingredients and bubbles while adjusting flow properties and stabilize as well as thicken body wash formulations. By making body washes with enhanced texture, foam and stabilization at low pH, Dow’s ACULYN™ Excel Rheology Modifiers help make body washes that are milder on the skin, enhancing the user experience.

Lathering Up Saves Lives

Washing hands is a proven way to prevent the spread of life-threatening diseases, especially among children. In fact, nearly 2 million children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrheal diseases[2] and pneumonia[3]. To spread the word about the importance of handwashing, use the hashtag #GlobalHandwashingDay and join in on the conversation via Dow’s social media channels. Through simple awareness, together it is possible to make a difference.

Aligning with Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goals

Events such as these support Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goals which seek to advance the well-being of humanity by helping lead the transition to a sustainable planet and society, maximizing economic, environmental and societal value. For example, on October 12, Dow held a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session about “The Science of Soap.” Hosted by Curtis Schwartz, Ph.D., associate director, personal care R&D, and Janet D. Windisch, Ph.D., group leader, personal care technical service, the Reddit AMA discussed what is required to make a good soap, the challenges that are driving new research and offered solutions that will have a positive societal impact.

For more information about this cause and to download Dow’s global handwashing infographic, visit www.cleanhands.dow.com.