Dow Europe Exploring Divestiture Options for Synthetic Rubber Business

MIDLAND, Mich. and NEW YORK, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow Europe GmbH ("Dow"), a
subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), has announced that it is
exploring divestiture options for its Synthetic Rubber business. Dow has
engaged J.P. Morgan to act as financial adviser in support of this effort.

The exploration of strategic options for the business is driven by Dow's
ongoing efforts to streamline and improve the company's portfolio of
businesses. Dow's Synthetic Rubber business has been, and continues to be, a
profitable business and will remain sharply focused on effectively managing
operations and delivering exceptional value to customers during this period.

The business is a global leader in the production and distribution of
synthetic rubbers, with a broad portfolio of products, from mature rubber
materials to specialized high performance elastomers. Dow has a long history
of industry leadership in rubber polymers solutions, offering leading-edge
technologies, innovative solutions and high performance standards.

The business has been working closely with leading tire manufacturers to
develop new types of rubber for low rolling resistance, which will lead to
lower fuel consumption and less CO2 emissions in vehicles. In addition to
tires, synthetic rubber produced by Dow also is used in plastic modification
and technical rubber goods such as hoses, conveyor belts, and footwear.

The business is strategically located in central Germany to access all key
markets for synthetic rubber, and includes five production plants and a
research center in Schkopau, Germany.

About The Dow Chemical Company (parent company of Dow Europe GmbH)
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.

SOURCE The Dow Chemical Company

Media, David Winder of The Dow Chemical Company, +1-989-636-0626, or for
business inquiries: Steven Doktycz of The Dow Chemical Company,
+1-989-636-0711; or David Badal of J.P. Morgan, +1-212-622-6227