Dow AgroSciences, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, received a 2009 Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Award at the inaugural event held at the Detroit Institute of Arts on September 24.

The award was launched by Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in response to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's Executive Directive: "Promotion of Green Chemistry for Sustainable Economic Development and Protection of Public Health." This directive established state policy encouraging the research, development, and implementation of sustainable chemistry in Michigan.

Nominations for the award must illustrate how the innovation supports Michigan's growth, economy, environment, and health - and fit within one or more of the following focus areas: Greener Synthetic Pathways, Greener Reaction Conditions, Design or Implementation of Greener Chemicals and Materials, and Design, Implementation, or Advocacy of Greener Processes. Categories for nominations include Business, Academic, Public and Student.

Spinetoram, the winning entry from Dow AgroSciences in the business category, is a breakthrough insecticide derived through the fermentation of a natural soil organism followed by chemical modification. So it has the favorable environmental profile of a biological product combined with the efficacy of synthetic technologies:

• Controls a broad spectrum of insect pests in a wide variety of crops and is applied at lower rates than many conventional insecticides.
• Has a very favorable toxicological profile as it relates to mammals, birds and aquatic organisms,
• Has low impact to most beneficial insects, providing an excellent fit with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, and
• Unique mode of action makes it an ideal fit for resistance management programs.

"Spinetoram is a great example of an innovation advancing sustainable chemistry that enables our customers to improve the environmental footprint of their products - while delivering business value at the same time," said Anne Wallin, Dow's Sustainable Chemistry Program Director and participant in the State's Green Chemistry Roundtable.

"These award winners have demonstrated that environmental protection and sound business practices can, and do, go hand-in-hand," said Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester. "I congratulate them on their innovation and commitment to the ideals of green chemistry."

While research efforts to discover and develop spinetoram were conducted at locations around the world, research required to develop an efficient manufacturing process was conducted entirely in Michigan. Dow's Harbor Beach, Michigan facility, which participated in research and pilot plant studies, is now the sole producer of the starting materials for all spinetoram sold in the world today.

"This type of innovation is essential as we try to increase agriculture's productivity in order to help feed growing world population," said Jim Dripps, Ph.D., global biology team leader, Dow AgroSciences. "Our customers in the apple market told us that they needed something effective against their No. 1 enemy - the codling moth - in a way that left a softer footprint on the environment than the choices they currently had."

Because agriculture accounts for almost 20 percent of economic value and 24 percent of its workforce, spinetoram sold under the brand name DELEGATETM plays a significant role in Michigan's economy. The product is registered for use to control pests on a wide range of crops that account for 78 percent ($2.6 billion) of the total value of crops produced in Michigan in 2007. Apples alone, with a value of over $125 million in 2007, are a very important crop for the state and DELEGATE is effective in controlling the most damaging apple pests

For a complete list of the 2009 Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Award winners, visit www.michigan.gov/deqgreenchemistry.

About Dow
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 approximately 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. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.5 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

About Dow AgroSciences
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $4.5 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.com.

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.