Midland, MI - March 19, 2007

The Dow Chemical Company today announced a major new sponsored research program targeting technology for the conversion of methane to chemicals.  Dow is inviting proposals on new technologies that could form the foundation of a commercially-viable process for converting methane to more valuable chemicals.

Dow Research & Development will award one or more grants of up to $2 million each for three years, with an option for renewal dependent upon progress.

“This is an opportunity to extend the Dow lab bench and find people with ideas we might not routinely have contact with,” said Charles Kresge, Dow research vice president for Basic Plastics & Chemicals/Hydrocarbons & Energy/Licensing R&D. “Methane conversion is an important component of Dow’s hydrocarbon research.  It’s very difficult; one of the most challenging areas in catalysis and we’re looking for the highest caliber research.”

Grant proposals should be for the direct conversion of methane to light olefins or olefin precursors.  Of greatest interest are processes that directly produce ethylene and propylene, or that produce intermediates readily converted to ethylene and propylene without using costly synthesis gas processes.

Dow is seeking non-confidential proposals of two pages or less from multiple principle investigators at single institutions or across multiple institutions. Additional information required includes a list of principal investigators and their affiliations, relevant previous work and expertise, and general area of activity. After preliminary screening, more in-depth proposals will be requested. Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of Dow.

Non-confidential two-page proposals will be accepted only at www.dowmethane.com until May 31, 2007.  For complete details, visit www.dowmethane.com.

About The Dow Chemical Company

For Editorial Information:

Anne Ainsworth
The Dow Chemical Company
989 636-2959