Dow Signs Agreement to Acquire Zhejiang Omex Environmental Engineering Co. Ltd.,
Increasing Its Water Components Portfolio
Newly expanded portfolio addresses need for environmentally sustainable water treatment in China and globally

Midland, MI and Huzhou, Zhejiang, China - June 29, 2006

Zhejiang OEE Co. Ltd. Dow Water Solutions

The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and Zhejiang Omex Environmental Engineering Company, Ltd. (OEE) today announced that Dow has agreed to acquire OEE. This acquisition establishes Dow as a leader in advanced component offerings for water purification, and brings to Dow a strong systems manufacturer for China. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

The acquisition of OEE will allow Dow to expand into three critical, enabling component technologies for water treatment: Ultrafiltration (UF), Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) membranes, and Electrodeionization (EDI). This also allows Dow to participate in a systems manufacturing business in China.

“Dow is a leader in reverse osmosis membranes and ion exchange resins, and this further solidifies our position as a water solutions leader through additional innovative technologies,” said Ian Barbour, general manager, Dow Water Solutions. “Adding innovative capabilities from OEE in China, along with the current expansion in FILMTEC™ membrane production capabilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota, further demonstrates Dow’s larger commitment to the water purification industry in China, as well as the rest of the world.”

These offerings are critical to addressing one of the world’s most pressing development and environmental challenges: supplies of clean water. Dow’s newly expanded portfolio will enhance its ability to provide solutions that support sustainable development goals by directly addressing the need for environmentally sustainable and cost-effective water treatment in China and elsewhere.

“With increasing demands and constraints on clean water supplies globally and in China, Dow is pleased to offer solutions that advance the cause of sustainable development and the effective management of water resources,” said Barbour. “With our broadened technology portfolio and our track record in terms of sustainable development, Dow is now in a stronger position to provide solutions for many industrial and municipal water treatment challenges.”

The acquisition of OEE, which is situated in Huzhou, Zhejiang, China, enables Dow to further penetrate one of the fastest growing regions for water treatment components. OEE has provided design engineering and installation for high-purity water facilities throughout China since 1995. The mission of OEE has been to continuously improve people’s living standard with its experienced water solutions expertise.

It is one of China’s premier water treatment and design companies, specializing in pure and ultra pure water applications. With a new custom-built 20,000 square meter facility, OEE employs over 500 people, primarily in China, involved in manufacturing, design, engineering and fabrication.

Dow provides highly productive and effective separations solutions based on FILMTEC reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) elements, DOWEX™ ion exchange resins and ADSORBSIA™ GTO™ titanium-based arsenic removal media.

Dow is the only global manufacturer of both membrane and ion exchange products. Both of these technologies separate dissolved minerals and organics from solutions, producing water that meets the most stringent water purity standards today and achieving the highest quality water with lower operating costs.

Water purification products from Dow are used for the full spectrum of water treatment applications, including industrial water treatment, municipal water treatment, production of ultra pure water, commercial and home drinking water purification, sweetener processing, and other selected specialty applications. They are also used in the purification of foods, pharmaceuticals and other products.

About The Dow Chemical Company

Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

Note: The forward-looking statements contained in this document involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. The Company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

For Editorial Information:

Eric Grates
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-5391

Anisha Shah
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
(212) 697-2600, ext. 228