Dow launches global business, innovation hub in Asia Pacific

• Shanghai Dow Center offers new approach to innovation in China and Asia Pacific region

SHANGHAI, China, June 2, 2009 -- The Dow Chemical Company announced that it has launched a new business and innovation hub in the Asia Pacific region, the Shanghai Dow Center. Occupying more than 100,000 square meters, the Center is comprised of a state-of-the-art research and development facility and Dow's regional headquarters for its businesses and functions.

"The Shanghai Dow Center is more than just a critical milestone in China, our third largest market," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow Chairman and CEO. "Along with our recent acquisition of Rohm and Haas, it is a demonstration of our continued commitment to transforming into the New Dow -- a more market-facing and customer-oriented company."

Shanghai Dow Center offers new approach to innovation in China and Asia Pacific region.Powered by an R&D engine that will include over 500 engineers and scientists working in more than 80 labs, the Shanghai Dow Center will develop innovative solutions for the construction, transportation, energy, water, electronics, and personal care industries -- all of which are essential to the improvement of people's lives in Asia Pacific and around the world. The Center brings together under one roof corporate R&D expertise with its market-focused application development capabilities -- an integration that delivers products and solutions that cut across markets, technologies and molecules, and an arrangement that is a first for Dow.

"Launching the Shanghai Dow Center is a great way to celebrate 30 years of Dow in China," said Jim McIlvenny, Dow's Senior Vice President, Emerging Economies. "While the economic environment continues to be challenging, we have great faith in the future of China. Indeed, this new center speaks well to our long-term commitment to use innovation to support the growth of China and the Asia Pacific region as a whole."

Interior of Shanghai Dow Center.The R&D facility also features a unique Customer Innovation Center, enabling Dow to work side by side with customers to turn market opportunities and new ideas into profitable solutions -- converting concepts into prototypes that will give customers a first-hand opportunity to see how their products will taste in a consumer's mouth or feel against their skin. Another global first for Dow, the Customer Innovation Center connects Dow's broad R&D and business expertise with customers' needs and knowledge to live the philosophy of Our Lab is Your Lab, Together We Will Grow.

Dow has been significantly expanding it business presence in China in the last 10 years, building capabilities in manufacturing, R&D and people. Other recent key business actions include a feasibility study with Shenhua Group for a coal-to-chemical project; a new propylene oxide-based glycol ethers facility in Zhangjiagang; Dow Epoxy Systems' first manufacturing asset in Wuhan to support the growing demand in market segments including composites, wind and infrastructure; and plans to establish both a world-class liquid epoxy resin plant and a glycerine-to-epichlorohydrin (GTE) plant in Shanghai.

As the world's leading specialty chemicals company, Dow brings more innovation power in its quest to set the standard for sustainability. Dow people are the world's best problem solvers focusing on the world's biggest challenges -- health, energy, climate change, transportation and infrastructure, and sustainable consumption -- which contain significant business opportunities that can be unlocked by sustainability and innovation.

The new R&D Center capabilities enables scientists to develop innovations that lead to more energy efficient buildings, improved safety and fuel consumption in automobiles, broader access to clean water, and the newest breakthroughs in electronics and appliances, delivering solutions to world challenges.

Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress.

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