Dow Announces Increased Global EO and EG Capacity Since 2002
Low-capital-cost improvements yield 11 percent additional EO and EG capability

Midland, MI - April 05, 2005

Dow announced today that it has increased total global production capacity for ethylene oxide (EO) to 4.3 billion pounds, and increased total global production capacity for ethylene glycol (EG) to 3.9 billion pounds. This represents an increase of 11 percent in global capacity for both EO and EG production since 2002, and was accomplished without significant capital expenditures. Dow and its joint ventures operate the world's largest EO and EG facilities and have the capacity to produce more than 8.1 billion pounds of EO and 8.7 billion pounds of EG per annum, which is the world's largest supply of EO and EG.

"We have worked hard over the past several years to optimize our operations and maximize our production. We have done so - without large capital expenditures - using Six Sigma, technology enhancements, catalyst improvements, process automation and targeted work process innovations," said Earl Shipp, global business vice president, Dow Oxides and Glycols. "We are pleased that we were able to identify, implement and operate these low-cost solutions, resulting in several incremental capacity gains since 2002."

2005 EO and EG announced capacities for Company locations are as follows:

Plant	Ethylene Oxide (EO)	Ethylene Glycol (EG)
Plaquemine (US)	602 million pounds	550 million pounds
Seadrift (US)	950 million pounds	625 million pounds
St. Charles Operations (US)	1.7 billion pounds	1.7 billion pounds
Terneuzen (The Netherlands)	360 million pounds	375 million pounds
Wilton (UK)	700 million pounds	600 million pounds

The 2005 capacity numbers represent an increase of 353 million pounds in EO and 390 million pounds in EG since 2002.

"We have recognized a number of benefits in EO and EG production from Union Carbide Corporation becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company," said Shipp. "In harmonizing the separate capabilities, best processes and technologies, we have been able to achieve world-class efficiencies in EO and EG production."

The Company states that implementing these incremental additions over the last few years has been especially valuable in 2004 and 2005, due to tight industry supply and strong demand.

"These improvements reaffirm our commitment to the EO/EG marketplace and showcase Dow's success at continuous improvement through Six Sigma, as well as our manufacturing and technology expertise," said Shipp.

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 $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: 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 43,000 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