The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) today was named by The Foundation for Social Change (FSC) and the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP) as a 2010 Leader of Change for the company's long-term commitment to delivering sustainable solutions that drive business, while also helping to solve the world's most pressing challenges. The honor was bestowed on Dow at the 2010 Global Conference for Social Change held today in New York City.

"Dow continues to play an integral role in creating innovative solutions that reach underserved populations across the globe, including important technologies that enable clean water," said Roland Rich, executive director of UNOP. "We count on this type of commitment from the private sector in order to drive true social change."

Dow is one of 12 global corporations recognized at the annual UN conference. Under the 2010 theme, "How Profitability Can Save Our World," this year's event assembled leaders of companies that exemplify how innovation can address social issues. The Leaders of Change awardees were identified by a committee represented by UNOP, World Economic Forum, Grameen Creative Lab, NYU Stern School of Business and the Foundation for Social Change.

"We are proud to be recognized as a Leader of Change, as sustainability is engrained in the way we do business everyday at Dow," said Bo Miller, Dow's global director of corporate citizenship and president of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. "We recognize the two-fold value our sustainability commitments have in solving global issues, while also growing our business. We're honored to be here to both share and learn how to accomplish those challenges."

At the event, Miller shared with conference attendees how Dow's focus on driving positive social impact has also improved the company's business performance. Dow's solutions for today and innovations for tomorrow include technologies and advanced materials aimed at solving global issues ranging from energy and climate change to water, food, health, housing and infrastructure. To learn more about Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals or to track the company's progress visit: http://www.dow.com/commitments/sustain.htm.

About Dow
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. 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.

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.