News Release

October 04, 2011 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Dow Automotive Systems Awarded Grant from United Soybean Board
[#DowInvestorDay]

Soy-oil Containing Acoustical Foam Near Commercialization

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Within an unprecedented nine-month timeframe and thanks to a grant from the United Soybean Board, Dow Automotive Systems (DA), a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) developed a soy-oil containing acoustical foam formulation with significant renewable content. Developed under the trade name BETAFOAM™ Renue, the new formulation is now in trials with a major North American OEM and commercialization is expected by December 2011.

“It has been very exciting to develop a novel, sustainable product that will become a commercial reality,” said Matt Asher, NA Technical Service & Development Leader, Dow Automotive Systems. “The grant from the United Soybean Board was instrumental in helping us move quickly from an innovative idea to a success story.”

Similar to traditional BETAFOAM acoustical foams, BETAFOAM Renue can be injected into vehicle cavities like A, B, C pillars and rocker panels to reduce air and road noise. The foam replaces baffles traditionally used in these areas and is also low density to reduce overall vehicle weight.

“This new product allows us to meet two very important goals,” said Steve Henderson, General Manager, Dow Automotive Systems. “In addition to commercializing a new product, we are giving our customers a choice to select a product with renewable content that will help toward their sustainability objectives.”

Of the 78 grants awarded, seven, including the grant to Dow Automotive Systems, are directly related to the use of soy technology in the automotive industry. The United Soybean Board administers activities toward research, market development and expansion aimed at viable uses of soy technology and the success of U.S. soybean farmers.

About Dow Automotive Systems

Dow Automotive Systems is a leading provider of polyurethanes, elastomers, films, fluids, adhesives, emissions solutions and acoustic-management materials to the global transportation industry. By working collaboratively with passenger vehicle, commercial transportation and aftermarket customers, Dow Automotive Systems is developing industry-leading solutions to address a wide range of critical market needs – increasing energy efficiency, improving safety and health, reducing exhaust emissions and enhancing vehicle quality and appeal. For additional information about Dow Automotive Systems, visit www.dowautomotive.com.

About The Dow Chemical Company

Dow (NYSE:DOW) combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.