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Dow Izolan Begins Operations


WEBWIRE

Vladimir - November 02, 2006 - The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and Izolan announced today that Dow Izolan, the Russian joint venture they formed in the Dow polyurethane systems business, has commenced formal operations to provide customer-tailored, polyurethane systems products to a growing customer base in Russia.

The joint venture combines Dow’s Polyurethane Systems business, known for its global leadership position in technology and raw materials back integration, with Izolan’s strong local customer focus, product positioning and market experience, to be the leader in Russia’s polyurethane systems marketplace. The new company is based in Vladimir, a city 170km north east of Moscow.

“Dow Izolan puts application chemistry and process tailoring at work to grow our customers’ business” said Aldo De Santi, General Manager Dow Izolan and Regional Commercial Director North Europe Dow Polyurethane Systems. “By leveraging the complementary strengths of Dow and Izolan, the JV is positioned to be the leader in the polyurethane systems market in Russia” De Santi added.

“Further, we are committed to build a new, large, state-of-the-art production plant in Vladimir to meet our customers growing needs and to mutually foster our growth. The new facility, expected in the next 18/24 months, will produce a broad variety of polyurethane systems solutions.” De Santi said.

“By personalizing solutions, our technical & commercial organization enhance our customers’ competitive advantage and help them grow. That’s how we commit to our customers and the industry” De Santi commented.

“The Dow Izolan joint venture is equipped with state-of-the-art analytical and research laboratories where our technicians take innovative solutions from the lab to prototyping on series of PU foaming machines fully representing customers conditions” said Mikhail Tsarfin, Marketing and Sales Director, Dow Izolan.

“By demonstrating a clear innovation-driven leadership, our objective is to position Dow Izolan as the preferred partner of choice for the polyurethane systems growing customer base in Russia” Tsarfin explained. “The complementary business strengths of Dow PU Systems and Izolan, together with the perfect fit between the two Companies in terms of values we share – integrity, respect for People and a constant focus on environment protection and safety – allow us to lead the polyurethane systems market in Russia” Tsarfin added.

Polyurethane Systems products

Polyurethane Systems products are used in a wide range of applications including building (rigid construction panels, water heaters, pipe insulation, spray insulation), appliances (insulation), footwear (shoe soles), automotive (seating, padding, liners, integral skin foam), consumer (Insulating Foam Sealant) and furniture (cushions and flexible molded foams). The main strength of the Polyurethane Systems business is its ability to provide tailor-made solutions that serve a diverse customer base. In fact, unlike more commoditized businesses, Polyurethane Systems captures greater value by delivering formulation expertise in combination with a low cost-to-serve business structure.

About Izolan

Located in Vladimir (Russia), Izolan was established in 1991 by recognized Russian specialists in the polyurethanes science and chemistry applications. Izolan main activity is the production and sales of Polyurethane Systems for rigid and flexible foams. Izolan employs about 100 employees and has more than 400 customers in Russia and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). In 2005, Izolan Systems sales in Russia reached more than 20,000 MT, making Izolan the market leader in the Polyurethane Systems in Russia and the CIS. More information about Izolan can be found at www.izolan.ru or www.izolan.com.

About The Dow Chemical Company

Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

About Dow in Russia

Dow first established a representation office in Moscow in 1974 and since then has grown to employ over 90 people. Dow offers a variety of plastics and specialty chemicals sold to a wide range of downstream industries, including automotive, oil and gas, building, packaging, furniture, wire and cable, large appliances, water treatment and agricultural products. Dow is committed to building a plant for the production of STYROFOAM™ extruded polystyrene insulation boards (XPS), thermal insulation products designed to increase the energy efficiency of homes and commercial buildings. The plant, located in the village of Kryukovo, 57 km from the Moscow ring road, will enable Dow’s Building Solutions business to supply central Russia as well as customers in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The Company is evaluating further investment opportunities, in partnership with key domestic energy producers. Dow’s sales in Russia and the CIS in 2005 were more than 340 million US Dollars. More information on Dow or Dow in Russia can be found at www.dow.com or www.dow.ru.

About Dow Polyurethane Systems

Dow Polyurethane Systems provides formulated polyurethane systems for the manufacture of flexible, rigid and microcellular foams, elastomers, adhesives, coatings or binders used in such applications as construction, automotive, footwear, sports equipment and furniture. Focused on meeting the specific needs of customers in their local region, Dow Polyurethanes Systems operates a global network of 18 systems houses with manufacturing units and 8 service centers, supported by three research and development centers. Dow Polyurethane Systems is focused on providing innovative, tailor-made solutions to customers world-wide. For more information, please visit www.dowpolyurethanes.com.

More information is also available in the Backgrounder attached to this News Release.

®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow



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