Philadelphia - November 18, 2010

Dow Plastics Additives, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), was presented the Silver Award from the SolVin Innovations in PVC competition for its exclusive SURECEL™ foam cell modifier technology.  The technology was chosen out of over 140 submissions and 11 finalists and announced at the K Show on October 28, 2010.  It is the only additive technology to have ever received this prestigious recognition. 

SURECEL foam cell modifier is a new technology platform that helps manufacturers, retailers and builders better capitalize on the growing demand for cellular PVC board products. SURECEL modifier enables the reduction of board density by up to 15%, which can significantly help board manufacturers cut raw material use and cost, while producing the same amount of linear board feet. Additionally, SURECEL modifier allows for the production of thicker gauge sheets of up to 1.5 inches and helps to provide excellent paint adhesion.

 Builders and consumers want a more durable, maintenance-free material to replace wood and cellular PVC is an excellent choice. Cellular PVC is strong and lightweight, rot and insect resistant, and it can be milled or worked just like wood. With so many benefits, cellular PVC is becoming the material of choice in rapidly growing applications such as trim board, signage, deck board, window profile and siding.

“Further growth in cellular PVC not only depends on delivering these outstanding properties but also on narrowing the cost between wood and cellular PVC. The novel SURECEL technology delivers a small, uniform cell size which helps enable the reduction of foam board density without sacrificing product performance” states Eric Lundquist, Global Research Director for Dow Plastics Additives. “We are excited that SolVin recognized Dow’s innovation and our contributions to the sustainability of PVC as a building material.”   

The SolVin Award for PVC Innovation promotes the use of PVC as an innovative, versatile, cost-effective and safe product that contributes to the well-being of society.  To learn more about the SolVin awards and read about current and previous winners visit www.solvinaward.com.

To learn more about SURECEL™ foam cell modifiers and other innovations from Dow Plastics Additives, visit www.dow.com/additives.

About Dow Plastics Additives

As a global supplier of plastics additives serving packaging, building and construction and engineering materials worldwide, Dow Plastics Additives provides the market with a broad line of high quality additives for vinyl, polyester, polycarbonate and other engineering plastics, their alloys and poly-lactic acid resins. With manufacturing facilities globally and a worldwide team the business offers speed to market, technical expertise and market-driven solutions to customers. More information about Dow Plastics Additives can be found at www.dow.com/additives.

About Dow

For Editorial Information:

Sarah Durante
The Dow Chemical Company
+1 347 371 3393