Dow Polyurethanes To Acquire Hyperlast UK and Autothane from British Vita

Dow Polyurethanes To Acquire Hyperlast UK and Autothane from British VitaInvestment Further Strengthens Performance Business Portfolio

Midland, MI - March 05, 2007

Dow Polyurethanes, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, today announced that it plans to acquire Hyperlast Limited, a leading United Kingdom polyurethanes elastomers systems business, and Autothane^†Limited, a leading manufacturer of advanced automotive suspension components, pending regulatory approval.

“The decision to further expand our Polyurethane (PU) Systems’ capabilities in Europe supports Dow’s strategy to grow our differentiated, customer-intimate Performance businesses, which can sustain value throughout the business cycle,” said Pat Dawson, vice president for Dow Polyurethanes. “From a Polyurethanes business perspective, our acquisition of Hyperlast UK and Autothane is further proof of our continued commitment to preferentially invest in and grow our PU System business by delivering tailor-made solutions to our customers through expanding our technology offerings.”

Hyperlast UK and Autothane Limited, subsidiaries of British Vita, specialize in the development of innovative polyurethane elastomers for the marine, engineering resins, oil and gas pipelines, and automotive industries.

Dow PU Systems is a leading global polyurethanes solutions provider, with 26 facilities located across Europe, Asia, Middle East, North and Latin America, where it develops high-performance, differentiated polyurethanes system solutions for customers in a broad range of industries. Dow is also a leading producer of PO/PG, MDI, TDI and polyols, the raw materials used in the production of polyurethane systems, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, as well as rigid and flexible foam.

“By combining Dow’s raw material integration, expansive geographic network and more than 50 years of experience in polyurethane chemistry with Hyperlast’s and Autothane’s expertise in spray and cast elastomers, we further strengthen and accelerate our ability to provide innovative systems solutions to our customers globally,” said Juan Antonio Merino, global general manager for Dow Polyurethane Systems.

No further details related to the transaction were disclosed.

About the Dow Chemical Company

About Hyperlast UK Limited and Autothane

Hyperlast UK Ltd is a leading international systems house combining chemical and engineering expertise to create innovative polyurethane elastomers for practical industrial applications. Headquartered in the UK, Hyperlast’s manufacturing and technical facilities are supported by a network of international sales and support partners providing a truly global service to customers. Part of British Vita, Hyperlast has over 30 years’ experience of developing and delivering successful polyurethane products for use on land, at sea and in extreme climatic conditions. Hyperlast product applications range from anti-slip coatings to ballistics protection; electrical; furniture edging; materials handling; mould making, pattern making rapid prototyping; rigid polyurethane; security protection; shock, noise and vibration reduction; tooling; and waterproofing. More information about Hyperlast can be found at www.hyperlast.com. Autothane Limited is a leading manufacturer of advanced automotive suspension components utilizing the proprietary Autothane^® technology. Licensed from Hyperlast and based in Wrexham, North Wales, the company designs, manufactures and supplies microcellular polyurethane mouldings to the automotive industry in continental Europe, the Far East and North America.

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.

^† Third-party products and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners

®™^* 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

Sue Breach
The Dow Chemical Company, UK
+ 44 1223 728019

Urszula Murphy
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
+1 212 697 2600, ext. 1296
umurphy@gibbs-soell.com

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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 Polyurethanes To Acquire Hyperlast UK and Autothane from British VitaInvestment Further Strengthens Performance Business Portfolio Midland, MI - March 05, 2007 Dow Polyurethanes, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, today announced that it plans to acquire Hyperlast Limited, a leading United Kingdom polyurethanes elastomers systems business, and Autothane^†Limited, a leading manufacturer of advanced automotive suspension components, pending regulatory approval. “The decision to further expand our Polyurethane (PU) Systems’ capabilities in Europe supports Dow’s strategy to grow our differentiated, customer-intimate Performance businesses, which can sustain value throughout the business cycle,” said Pat Dawson, vice president for Dow Polyurethanes. “From a Polyurethanes business perspective, our acquisition of Hyperlast UK and Autothane is further proof of our continued commitment to preferentially invest in and grow our PU System business by delivering tailor-made solutions to our customers through expanding our technology offerings.” Hyperlast UK and Autothane Limited, subsidiaries of British Vita, specialize in the development of innovative polyurethane elastomers for the marine, engineering resins, oil and gas pipelines, and automotive industries. Dow PU Systems is a leading global polyurethanes solutions provider, with 26 facilities located across Europe, Asia, Middle East, North and Latin America, where it develops high-performance, differentiated polyurethanes system solutions for customers in a broad range of industries. Dow is also a leading producer of PO/PG, MDI, TDI and polyols, the raw materials used in the production of polyurethane systems, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, as well as rigid and flexible foam. “By combining Dow’s raw material integration, expansive geographic network and more than 50 years of experience in polyurethane chemistry with Hyperlast’s and Autothane’s expertise in spray and cast elastomers, we further strengthen and accelerate our ability to provide innovative systems solutions to our customers globally,” said Juan Antonio Merino, global general manager for Dow Polyurethane Systems. No further details related to the transaction were disclosed. About the Dow Chemical Company About Hyperlast UK Limited and Autothane Hyperlast UK Ltd is a leading international systems house combining chemical and engineering expertise to create innovative polyurethane elastomers for practical industrial applications. Headquartered in the UK, Hyperlast’s manufacturing and technical facilities are supported by a network of international sales and support partners providing a truly global service to customers. Part of British Vita, Hyperlast has over 30 years’ experience of developing and delivering successful polyurethane products for use on land, at sea and in extreme climatic conditions. Hyperlast product applications range from anti-slip coatings to ballistics protection; electrical; furniture edging; materials handling; mould making, pattern making rapid prototyping; rigid polyurethane; security protection; shock, noise and vibration reduction; tooling; and waterproofing. More information about Hyperlast can be found at www.hyperlast.com. Autothane Limited is a leading manufacturer of advanced automotive suspension components utilizing the proprietary Autothane^® technology. Licensed from Hyperlast and based in Wrexham, North Wales, the company designs, manufactures and supplies microcellular polyurethane mouldings to the automotive industry in continental Europe, the Far East and North America. 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. ^† Third-party products and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners ®™^* 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 Sue Breach The Dow Chemical Company, UK + 44 1223 728019 Urszula Murphy Gibbs & Soell, Inc. +1 212 697 2600, ext. 1296 umurphy@gibbs-soell.com
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