Award recognizes leadership in employment growth, facility expansion and community involvement

Buffalo Grove, IL - June 08, 2007

ANGUS Chemical Company (“ANGUS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, is pleased to announce that its Sterlington, La. manufacturing site has been awarded the prestigious Lantern Award by Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association (LIDEA).  According to the LED, the Lantern Award recognizes Louisiana businesses who demonstrate excellence in manufacturing and community involvement.

“It is a great honor to be recognized for this important award, and to be included among such an influential group of Louisiana businesses,” said Karen Kay, Sterlington site leader, ANGUS.  “Louisiana is a special place to all of us because it’s not only where we work, but where we live.  We are pleased to set the example for other business and help pave the way for further investment in civic causes that will benefit the entire community.”

Award winners are selected based on employment growth, facility expansion and community involvement over the past three years, towards all of which ANGUS has made significant contributions.  Since 2004, the Sterlington site has added 80 employees and made capital investments and expansions amounting to more than $50 million.  In 2007, the business is planning investments of $70 million to align with its customer growth.  These investments directly underscore Dow’s strategy to invest for growth in its performance businesses.

ANGUS has also extensively supported community programs, including sponsorship of the Community Grant Program for the Sterlington area.  Through this program, the Sterlington site allocates money to help support projects of local non-profit organizations that have identified social, economic or environmental needs, which enhance the quality of life for local residents. ANGUS contributes more than $50,000 annually to the United Way and to many other local community outreach programs, schools and sports teams.

In addition, ANGUS is a leading sponsor the Process Technology Lab (PTEC) at Louisiana Delta Community College, which prepares students to work as process operators in chemical, oil and gas, power-generating and pharmaceutical industries.  The program will graduate its first class this spring and ANGUS intends to hire graduates from the program as opportunities arise.

“Manufacturing is highly competitive globally, and many companies have relocated operations overseas to save cost,” said Mark Henning, CEO, ANGUS.  “We know that a successful business operation depends on the strength of the community where it is based, and our investments in building a skilled workforce and enhancing community programs is how we’ve been able to thrive in this industry.   We look forward to many future years of involvement with this fine community.”

The 2007 Lantern Award was presented June 5, 2007 at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge, La.

Sterlington is the flagship manufacturing facility for ANGUS, the world’s leading supplier of nitroalkane-based chemistry.  The manufacturing plant produces more than 40 specialty products going into a wide variety of industries ranging from metalworking fluids to paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals and personal care products.  In 2005, ANGUS completed a multi-million dollar investment project at the Sterlington site. The capacity expansion projects enabled ANGUS to increase volume for several products, including 2-Nitropropane and AMP™ co-dispersant and neutralizing amine.

As the original industry source for nitroparaffins, ANGUS Chemical Company continues to develop and deliver distinct nitroalkane-based chemistries for customers in applications as diverse as paints and coatings, metalworking fluids, water treatment, biological buffers, solvents and thinners, wood adhesives, pharmaceutical and agricultural intermediates. Aligned as a market-focused, problem-solving specialty chemicals business, ANGUS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. Visit us online: www.angus.com

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For Editorial Information:

Louise Falp
ANGUS Chemical Company
1.847.808.3771