Dow Schedules Maintenance Turnaround at Estarreja, Portugal, MDI Facility

MIDLAND, MICH - February 21, 2007

Dow Polyurethanes, a business of The Dow Chemical Company, will conduct a scheduled turnaround at its MDI production plant in Estarreja, Portugal, for routine maintenance. The four-week turnaround is scheduled to begin in late February and will involve equipment repairs and replacements, reactor inspections, and process adjustments. Consistent with Dow’s commitment to the polyurethanes industry, this routine maintenance and preparatory work will ensure that customers receive a consistent and reliable source of MDI from Dow.

In September 2006, Dow announced plans to expand MDI capacity at the Estarreja site. Slated for completion in 2009, the added capacity will address growing global demand for MDI, which is used in the manufacture of polyurethanes for a diverse range of applications including construction, appliance, adhesives and sealants. Current capacity at the Estarreja site represents approximately 20% of Dow’s global MDI capacity.

“While the MDI market in Europe is currently balanced, industry-wide periodic shutdowns put pressure on supply,” states Steven English, business director for Dow Isocyanates, a business unit within Dow Polyurethanes. “Therefore, we build stock in advance of these turnarounds to meet customer needs. We have been preparing for this turnaround for several months and, as a result, we are well-positioned to continue to deliver MDI to our customers without disruption.”

About Dow Polyurethanes

Dow is the world's largest producer of polyether polyols, a leading producer of quality aromatic isocyanates, such as MDI and TDI, and a major supplier of propylene oxide, an essential component of polyether polyols. Dow's polyurethanes products and formulated systems are used in rigid foams, flexible foams, adhesives, sealants, coatings, and elastomers, as well as many other applications. Dow also offers the latest in polyol technology with its VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyols, part of an ongoing initiative by Dow to lead the industry in providing high-performance products with reduced VOC-emissions. For more information, visit www.dowpolyurethanes.com, www.pusystems.com and www.voractiv.com.

About The Dow Chemical Company

®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

For Editorial Information:

Myra Dean
The Dow Chemical Company
+1 (989) 638-6969

Kellie Nolan
Gibbs & Soell GmbH
+41 (0)44 205 5565
knolan@gibbs-soell.com

Lidia Martinez
The Dow Chemical Company
Iberica S.L.
+34 91 7407712

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Asia Pacific Europe India, Middle East, Africa Latin America North America About Dow Polyurethanes Product Stewardship ISO Certificates Answer Center News Events MSDS & SDS My Account @ Dow Contact Us Send An Email Technical Inquiry Global Polyurethanes Home	Dow Schedules Maintenance Turnaround at Estarreja, Portugal, MDI Facility MIDLAND, MICH - February 21, 2007 Dow Polyurethanes, a business of The Dow Chemical Company, will conduct a scheduled turnaround at its MDI production plant in Estarreja, Portugal, for routine maintenance. The four-week turnaround is scheduled to begin in late February and will involve equipment repairs and replacements, reactor inspections, and process adjustments. Consistent with Dow’s commitment to the polyurethanes industry, this routine maintenance and preparatory work will ensure that customers receive a consistent and reliable source of MDI from Dow. In September 2006, Dow announced plans to expand MDI capacity at the Estarreja site. Slated for completion in 2009, the added capacity will address growing global demand for MDI, which is used in the manufacture of polyurethanes for a diverse range of applications including construction, appliance, adhesives and sealants. Current capacity at the Estarreja site represents approximately 20% of Dow’s global MDI capacity. “While the MDI market in Europe is currently balanced, industry-wide periodic shutdowns put pressure on supply,” states Steven English, business director for Dow Isocyanates, a business unit within Dow Polyurethanes. “Therefore, we build stock in advance of these turnarounds to meet customer needs. We have been preparing for this turnaround for several months and, as a result, we are well-positioned to continue to deliver MDI to our customers without disruption.” About Dow Polyurethanes Dow is the world's largest producer of polyether polyols, a leading producer of quality aromatic isocyanates, such as MDI and TDI, and a major supplier of propylene oxide, an essential component of polyether polyols. Dow's polyurethanes products and formulated systems are used in rigid foams, flexible foams, adhesives, sealants, coatings, and elastomers, as well as many other applications. Dow also offers the latest in polyol technology with its VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyols, part of an ongoing initiative by Dow to lead the industry in providing high-performance products with reduced VOC-emissions. For more information, visit www.dowpolyurethanes.com, www.pusystems.com and www.voractiv.com. About The Dow Chemical Company ®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow For Editorial Information: Myra Dean The Dow Chemical Company +1 (989) 638-6969 Kellie Nolan Gibbs & Soell GmbH +41 (0)44 205 5565 knolan@gibbs-soell.com Lidia Martinez The Dow Chemical Company Iberica S.L. +34 91 7407712
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