New York, NY - July 17, 2007

Dow Fiber Solutions, a business unit of Dow Chemical Company, is targeting the hotel and lodging market for DOW XLA™, the world's first olefin-based stretch fiber. DOW XLA™ adds value to uniforms and other garments with its soft stretch and hand and its inherent resistance to high temperatures and harsh chemicals used in launderings.

"The hotel and lodging industry is highly competitive and companies are constantly looking for ways to make their business operations more efficient and effective," said LeAnn Schwartz, Dow Fiber Solutions North American Manager for Commercial Wear. "DOW XLA™ can make a difference for them because the fiber's stretch makes garments more comfortable, which can positively impact employee productivity, and more durable, which can increase the life-span of the garment."

DOW XLA™ is based on proprietary technology. Tests show that garments made with DOW XLA™ maintain dimensional stability and elasticity without shrinking after more than 50 cycles of industrial laundering at 95 degrees Celsius and tunnel drying.

DOW XLA™ was first introduced into the professional wear market in Europe in September 2005 and has received wide and growing acceptance there. Based on that success, Dow Fiber Solutions is planning to partner with uniform manufacturers in North America to develop revolutionary, comfort-stretch fabrics with lasting performance for uniforms and other garments used in the hotel and lodging market, according to Schwartz.

Dow Fiber Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, is dedicated to pioneering innovations for the global textile industry by matching proactive research and development expertise with the creative vision of retailers, designers and manufacturers - to meet consumer needs. The business has established a customer base in Europe, Asia/Pacific, the United States and South America to produce fabrics made with DOW XLA™ elastic fiber. DOW XLA™ is one of many innovative products that underscore Dow's strategy to strengthen its performance business portfolio by prioritizing marketing and application development activities that support high-value, end-use applications. For more information, visit www.dowxla.com.

About Dow

®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

For Editorial Information:

William J. Brown
The Dow Chemical Company
302-893-2722