Dow Resumes Full Operations for Acrylic Acid and Esters in Germany and Texas

Dow Resumes Full Operations for Acrylic Acid and Esters in Germany and Texas
Company Maintains its Product Allocations

Midland, MI - October 18, 2004

The Dow Chemical Company and its affiliated companies in Europe (collectively "Dow") announced that it has resumed full Acrylates operations at Boehlen, Germany and Clear Lake, Texas, where critical equipment failures caused sudden, unplanned outages in September. The separate and unrelated events forced the company to declare force majeure for acrylic acid and esters production at both manufacturing sites.

Due to the lasting impact of its force majeure events, Dow continues to maintain its area-specific product allocation levels.

"Several factors depleted our inventories and produced an industry-wide shortage for acrylates products even before our circumstances led to force majeure" said Doug May, global business director for Dow Acrylates. "These factors include unusually high demand and unplanned manufacturing events announced by multiple producers throughout the industry, which heightened the effect of our own force majeure events."

May also outlined some of the business's priorities going forward.

"We have resolved the issues associated with the critical equipment failures and remain committed to safe and efficient production of acrylates," said May. "It is our goal to provide a secure, long-term source of quality acrylic-based products and our immediate focus is to optimize our assets and efficiency in production. We are investing significant resources to improve both the capability and reliability of our acrylic acid and esters units."

Dow acquired the Acrylic Acid and Esters business of Celanese in First Quarter 2004, making it one of the largest global producers of acrylic acid and esters and the world's largest Acrylates merchant market participant.

Acrylic acid is used to produce acrylic esters and superabsorbent polymers. Major end uses for acrylic esters include acrylic latex emulsions that are used in paper, paints and coatings, textiles, and adhesives.

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 $33 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 180 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including 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 approximately 46,000 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:

Amy Ahlich
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-3587

Josiah McClellan
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
(212) 697-2600
jmcclellan@gibbs-soell.com


Products Applications Technical Information Acrylic Monomers News Contact Us	Dow Resumes Full Operations for Acrylic Acid and Esters in Germany and Texas Company Maintains its Product Allocations Midland, MI - October 18, 2004 The Dow Chemical Company and its affiliated companies in Europe (collectively "Dow") announced that it has resumed full Acrylates operations at Boehlen, Germany and Clear Lake, Texas, where critical equipment failures caused sudden, unplanned outages in September. The separate and unrelated events forced the company to declare force majeure for acrylic acid and esters production at both manufacturing sites. Due to the lasting impact of its force majeure events, Dow continues to maintain its area-specific product allocation levels. "Several factors depleted our inventories and produced an industry-wide shortage for acrylates products even before our circumstances led to force majeure" said Doug May, global business director for Dow Acrylates. "These factors include unusually high demand and unplanned manufacturing events announced by multiple producers throughout the industry, which heightened the effect of our own force majeure events." May also outlined some of the business's priorities going forward. "We have resolved the issues associated with the critical equipment failures and remain committed to safe and efficient production of acrylates," said May. "It is our goal to provide a secure, long-term source of quality acrylic-based products and our immediate focus is to optimize our assets and efficiency in production. We are investing significant resources to improve both the capability and reliability of our acrylic acid and esters units." Dow acquired the Acrylic Acid and Esters business of Celanese in First Quarter 2004, making it one of the largest global producers of acrylic acid and esters and the world's largest Acrylates merchant market participant. Acrylic acid is used to produce acrylic esters and superabsorbent polymers. Major end uses for acrylic esters include acrylic latex emulsions that are used in paper, paints and coatings, textiles, and adhesives. 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 $33 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 180 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including 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 approximately 46,000 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: Amy Ahlich The Dow Chemical Company (989) 636-3587 Josiah McClellan Gibbs & Soell, Inc. (212) 697-2600 jmcclellan@gibbs-soell.com
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