Dow Expanding Product Manufacturing of Performance Fluids At OPTIMAL In Malaysia

Midland, MI - June 04, 2008

The Dow Chemical Company UCON™ Fluids & Lubricants Business in Asia Pacific sources a number of UCON™ Fluids & Lubricants from the OPTIMAL JV manufacturing plant, strategically located in Malaysia. In addition to the current range, Dow is adding production of several 50HB series water soluble base fluids, bringing the total number of products available to over 15. Manufacture of these will start during the second quarter of 2008. The addition of these products will expand the breadth of products already available throughout Asia offered by Dow UCON™ Fluids & Lubricants.

Unique Properties of UCON™ Lubricants

UCON™ Fluids are used as lubricants and essential ingredients in applications ranging from fiber and textile processing, to metalworking, electronics, rubber, plastics, paint and coatings.

Viscosity – UCON™ Fluids are commercially available in ISO viscosity range 22 to 1000.

High Viscosity Index – UCON ™ Fluids have very high viscosity indices compared to petroleum derived base stocks and other synthetic lubricants and range typically from 180 to over 250.

Excellent Lubricity – UCON™ Fluids have outstanding overall load carrying capacity, film strength, and anti-wear properties.

Cleanliness, No Sludge Formation – UCON™ Fluids do not decompose to form sludges and carbon lacquers at high temperatures as is the case with other lubricant base stocks, which are subject to degradation and polymerization.

Excellent Stability – UCON™ Fluids exhibit high stability to heat, air (with addition of appropriate antioxidants), acids, alkalis and high shear environments.

Low Pour Point – UCON™ Fluids usually exhibit very low pour points ranging from -30°C to lower than -50°C. They do not contain nor require pour point depressants.

Gas Solubility – The solubility of common compressed gases, such as natural gas, ethylene, hydrogen, etc., in UCON™ Fluids is substantially lower than in petroleum oils and polyalphaolefins. Therefore, UCON™ Fluids maintain their viscosity better in intimate contact with such gases, thus providing thicker lubricant films and better lubrication.

About OPTIMAL

The OPTIMAL Group of Companies (OPTIMAL) is a joint venture involving PETRONAS, Malaysia’s National Petroleum Corporation, and Union Carbide Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. The Company serves key markets in the Asia Pacific region from its world-scale petrochemical facility located in Kertih, Terengganu. Established in July 1998, OPTIMAL comprises of three companies namely OPTIMAL OLEFINS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD, OPTIMAL GLYCOLS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD and OPTIMAL CHEMICALS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD.

OPTIMAL manufacturers and supplies more than 15 different petrochemical product families and approximately 75 products ranging from basic feedstock of Ethylene and Propylene, to intermediates like Ethylene Oxide, Ethylene Glycol, Butanol and various Ethylene Oxide derivatives. The products also include basic and high performance chemicals.

Website: www.optimal.com.my

About Dow

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For Editorial Information:

Harold Nicoll
The Dow Chemical Company
1-989-636-5162