Dow AgroSciences LLC, a Dow subsidiary, received the 2008 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for spinetoram, an innovative insect control technology derived from a biological organism.  This award, presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of the White House, recognizes technologies that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture and use.  

Spinetoram insecticide, sold in multiple countries under the brand names DELEGATE™ WG, RADIANT™ SC, EXALT™ and ENDURE™, is the result of a partnership between governments, the chemical industry and Dow to quickly bring to market a product that addresses pests in fruit and vegetable crops.  Spinetoram provides long-lasting control of a broad spectrum of insect pests in a variety of crops, and can be applied at low rates and has low impact on most beneficial insects.  Laboratory tests demonstrate that spinetoram has a favorable toxicological profile, and carries the lowest human hazard label available.  It has low solubility in water, and naturally degrades into its natural building blocks by UV light and soil microbes.

This kind of innovative thinking and collaboration is just one example of how the Human Element at Dow is contributing to more sustainable products; for more, please visit http://www.dow.com/commitments/studies/index.htm.