Midland, MI. - September 18, 2008 - The Dow Chemical Company announced today start-up operations have begun at the Dow and Union Carbide manufacturing sites along the Texas Gulf Coast that were recently impacted by Hurricane Ike.

Each start-up process could take up to several weeks to complete. Raw material availability and transportation logistics are expected to continue to present a challenge to the sites and to the industry throughout the region. Dow's No. 1 priority remains the safety of its personnel and the communities in which it operates as it works to return to normal operations.

With widespread disruptions in power and utilities still affecting southeast Texas, the sites have been assisting impacted Dow personnel and The Dow Chemical Company Foundation has announced that it will donate a total of $700,000 to help at the local and state levels.

The Texas Disaster Relief Fund will receive $500,000 with the money being directed to the communities which the Company and the majority of its workforce and retirees call home. The Foundation will give United Way chapters in Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties $150,000 collectively to help support local relief efforts. The Greater Houston and Galveston chapters of the Red Cross will receive $25,000 each to go toward community support.

Dow continues to work closely with local officials and emergency responders to assess the needs of communities and personnel affected and to provide support and assistance as needed.

Dow's sites in Freeport, Clear Lake and LaPorte, as well as the Union Carbide facilities in Texas City and Seadrift successfully implemented their hurricane preparedness plans and were safely shut down before Hurricane Ike made landfall. The Company's business centers were also closed. The Houston Dow Center re-opened earlier this week.

Dow's site in Plaquemine, Louisiana and Union Carbide's St. Charles Operations in Hahnville, Louisiana, which were impacted by Hurricane Gustav, were not directly affected by Hurricane Ike and continue with their recovery and start-up.

The Dow Chemical Company Foundation recently announced that it will donate a total of $500,000 in Louisiana to provide assistance at the local, regional and state levels. The sites have also been helping their affected employees.

About Dow
With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.