Mexico City, Mexico. - April 22, 2009 - The Dow Chemical Company, Wal-Mart, and Grupo Ravi have joined forces to introduce a new product to the Mexican market - the first ecological sandal for women. Following an intense and creative collaboration across the entire value chain including design, manufacturing, packaging and distribution, the ecological sandal "“ named "Green Comfort" "“ was launched in December 2008. After 15 days, 50 percent of the inventory was already sold, proving once again that good environmental stewardship also means good business.

Through a shared vision of creating sustainable footwear, Grupo Ravi, a well-recognized Mexican company with more than 50 years of expertise in the local footwear market, envisioned and developed the concept of an ecological sandal which matched Dow Polyurethane Systems' innovative technologies.

Under the umbrella of The Dow Chemical Company's 2015 Sustainability Goals, Dow developed VORALAST(TM), a variety of polyols based on natural oils combining global innovation capabilities with local expertise to create an environmentally sound alternative to shoe soles and insoles. The ecological sandal is produced with vegetable-pigmented leathers, zero solvents in the manufacturing process and is sold with 100 percent recyclable and recycled packaging.

"'Green Comfort' is an innovative product in terms of design and technology, but it is also a strong demonstration of the value that collaborative work can bring not only to our businesses but to everyday consumers," said David Blakemore, President of the North Region of Dow Latin America. "Aligned to our corporate commitments, we have delivered a sustainable alternative to footwear consumers thanks to innovation across the value-chain that sets the example for sustainability in Mexico."

Aligned with its commitment to create Sustainable Value Networks and to promote more environment-friendly products, Wal-Mart de Mexico decided to partner with Grupo Ravi and Dow. As a pilot test, Wal-Mart offered the "Green Sandal" at 40 of its stores two basic black and brown designs. Wal-Mart plans to expand the distribution to its 155 Super Centers starting in April 2009 as part of its "Month of Earth" campaign.

"Due to the great response, we are planning to grow the array of ‘Green Comfort’ designs including a new model for men, expanding the scope of the market segments we cover," said Víctor Campos, General Director of Grupo Ravi de México. "Our ecological sandal maximizes comfort by combining great flexibility to reduce tiredness, improved anti-skid properties, high impact-absorption for prolonged-use, and a whole ergonomic and biomechanics applied to the insole and sole design. In this challenge, Dow’s support and high-technology materials produced the perfect fit."

"We are committed to providing our customers with an ample array of products that serve their needs while preserving the environment for future generations. This task requires the support and cooperation with other companies that take sustainability seriously like Dow and Grupo Ravi. We have established a virtuous relationship where companies, customers and planet, create a win-win-win cooperation," said Raul Arguelles, Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Human Resources, Wal-Mart de México.

Based on the shared commitment to better serve consumers, the three companies have structured a co-branding campaign to create awareness about the ecological and comfort properties of the sandals. These benefits have proved to be essential in the decision-making process of the female consumers in the successful launch of the product.

About Dow
With annual sales of $58 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.

About Wal-Mart de Mexico
Wal-Mart de Mexico S. A. de C.V. (MSE: WALMEX) is a retail company whose vision is to contribute towards improving the quality of life for Mexican families. It is a multi-format operation, including self-service (Bodega Aurrera, Walmart, and Superama), warehouse membership clubs (Sam's Club), apparel stores (Suburbia) and restaurants (Vips, El Porton and Ragazzi), which total 1211 at the end of February, 2009. In 2009, Wal-Mart de México was recognized for the ninth consecutive year as a Socially Responsible Company. WALMEX's shares are traded in the Mexican Stock Exchange since 1977.

About Grupo Ravi
Grupo Ravi is created in 1992 with the mission to offer comfort solutions to the consumers, improving their quality of life. The first products were based in simple comfort insoles that were distributed in shoe stores and self-service stores under VICTOR Trademark. In the search of new technologies, we developed in 1998 magnetic insoles for the USA market. This experience transformed our business and in 2003 we developed and manufactured insoles with polyurethane injection technology. With The Dow Chemical Company technical support, Grupo Ravi manufactures insoles with different densities that have revolutionized the comfort market. Grupo Ravi has had steady growth offering new alternatives to our customers under the principle of continue improvement and competitive prices.

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.