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Dow Integration Process with Rohm and Haas Continues in the Middle East

Saudi Joint Venture Company Projected to Become a Key Business Development for Dow in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) July 5, 2009: The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) , a world leader in science and technology, today announced further progress of the integration of Rohm and Haas in the Middle East with the news that the Saudi Acrylic Monomer Company (SAMCo) will play an integral role in Dow 's development plans in the Middle East. The SAMCo plant is being built in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

SAMCo is a joint venture owned by Tasnee Sahara Olefins Company (TSOC) of Saudi Arabia and Dow . When completed, the Jubail plant, which is the first acrylic monomer production facility in the region, is expected to contribute to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in terms of economic development, industrial diversity by supplying products for local and regional markets, provide access to new markets and customers and enable the creation of more than 200 new jobs. The majority of the plant's production would supply the needs of downstream businesses to make products used in paints and coatings, adhesives, caulks, sealants, plastics additives, detergents additives and in industrial applications, among others.

"Our objective is to assure a seamless transition from Rohm and Haas to Dow 's Performance Products Division and to become a strategic partner in the SAMCo JV. Through Dow 's growing presence in KSA, we are committed to the economic development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its transformation into a key player in the global petrochemicals industry. The expected job creation by the Jubail JV plant best demonstrates this commitment. However, Dow 's commitment extends beyond our fences as we look to be a driving force for overall development in the local KSA communities where we plan to operate," said Earl Shipp, president of Dow India, Middle East and Africa.

As part of Dow 's commitment to the economic development of KSA, Dow recently announced its intentions to establish a multi-year, multi-million dollar joint research framework with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The framework is designed to support the University's goal of fostering economic development through the advancement of technology and is completely aligned with Dow 's focus on delivering science-based solutions for everyday needs.

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About Dow in the Middle East
Dow has several current and proposed Middle East joint ventures in the UAE, Egypt, Kuwait and Libya as well as in Saudi Arabia, where Saudi Aramco and Dow are in the formation process of a joint venture to build, own and operate a world-scale chemicals and plastics production complex in the Eastern Province. From the opening of its first commercial office in Cairo 30 years ago, to its facility in Jebel Ali in Dubai and its 10-year partnership in Kuwait with EQUATE, Dow has managed to establish a solid presence in the Middle East petrochemicals industry. For more information about Dow Chemical in the Middle East, please visit www.dow.com/imea/me

About Dow in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Dow 's presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began with E.A. Juffali & Bros. through a joint venture named the Arabian Chemical Company (Polystyrene) Ltd. , which currently has two plants manufacturing STYROFOAM * brand insulation - one in Jeddah and the other in Dubai. In 1995, Dow and E.A. Juffali & formed the Arabian Chemical Company (Latex) Ltd., which manufactures latex at its plant in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. In 2007, Dow and Saudi Aramco signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the construction, ownership and operation of a world-scale chemicals and plastics production complex in Saudi Arabia, named the Ras Tanura Integrated Project (RTIP). Upon completion, RTIP is projected to be among the world's largest petrochemical facilities and would represent the largest foreign direct investment ever into Saudi Arabia's petrochemical sector.

About Dow
With sales of $58 billion in 2008 and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008 and 15,000 employees worldwide. 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

About Tasnee and Sahara Olefins Company
TSOC is a Saudi joint stock company established by Tasnee, Sahara and General Organization for Social Security. It owns 75 percent of the Saudi Ethylene and Polyethylene Company (SEPC) . SEPC owns $ 2.5 billion cracker complex which has recently started production at a capacity of one million tons of ethylene, 285KTa of propylene and 800 KTA of polyethylene. SEPC is 25 percent owned by LyondellBasell Industries.

For further information on Dow :
Hani Wassim
Dow Chemical India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA)
t +971.4.312.3668
HWassim@dow.com

Jad Najjar
Dow Chemical India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA)
t +971 4 312 3672
jnajjar@dow.com

Simon Tayyar
GolinHarris
t +966.2.650.2741
stayyar@golinharris.com

Anan Ibrahim
GolinHarris
t +971.4.332.3308
aibrahim@golinharris.com

© Press Release 2009

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