Midland, MI - November 21, 2005

The Dow Chemical Company today announced that it has upgraded its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) development facilities. A new mini-line in Freeport, Texas and new program for production scale development utilizing the manufacturing assets in LaPorte, Texas will permit broader and faster TPU development.

The mini-line has increased productivity and flexibility when compared to previous systems. The mini-line will also be used to develop and confirm the fundamentals of new technology and product platforms. Sample size from the mini-line is sufficient for customer testing. Final scale up and large customer samples will be produced in the production lines. Kirk Anderson, Senior Research & Development Leader for Dow's Specialty Copolymers business says, "This improvement in our scale-up process allows new formulations to be predictable and consistent, yielding higher value for Dow and its customers." Transition to these new facilities is underway and will be completed by the first quarter of 2006.

About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

For Editorial Information:

Deb Toledo
The Dow Chemical Company
713-978-2189