Today The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: Dow) joins more than one billion people across the globe in elevating awareness of the importance of protecting our planet on the 41st Annual Earth Day. From educational sessions and community events, to collaborating with city governments for street clean-ups, planting trees and restoring trails, and promoting waste recycling and reuse, Dow employees are engaging in a variety of Earth Day activities around the world.

Earth Day is Every Day
On April 20, Dow will host Bill Ginn, Chief Conservation Officer of The Nature Conservancy, at its headquarters in Midland, Mich. for a presentation on the social and economic value of nature. In early 2011, Dow announced a breakthrough collaboration with The Nature Conservancy that will determine and showcase how protecting nature is not only good for the planet, it's a smart business strategy.

"Every Spring, right around Earth Day, we are reminded of the beauty of our planet. It's a great time to think about our own personal commitments to protecting it," said Neil Hawkins, Dow's vice president of Sustainability and EH&S. "Dow people around the world are joining with their local communities to make a positive impact. We will continue to put our people and our technology squarely on the path of progress that is good for the environment, good for society and good for business."

Innovations for Tomorrow
The Environmental Protection Agency's 7th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo, held in Washington, D.C. on April 16 and 17, brought together scientists, engineers, students, government representatives and the general public to experience a variety of products and solutions designed to advance economic growth while reducing environmental impact. Dow shared its sustainability story and highlighted its innovations in solar energy, water, food, packaging and home and personal care.

Smart Solutions for Today
As a leader in sustainable chemistry, Dow is dedicated to addressing the most pressing environmental challenges. From harnessing the power of the sun, to increasing crop productivity, to filtration systems that provide clean water - Dow unlocks solutions that help its customers and the rest of society achieve a more sustainable world.

For example, Dow Global Technologies, LLC just announced the invention and development of a new, high molecular weight brominated Polymeric Flame Retardant (Polymeric FR). The Polymeric FR is expected to be the "next generation industry standard" flame retardant for use in both extruded polystyrene (XPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam insulation applications globally.

Partners for Change
On April 5, Hawkins participated as a discussion leader on "The Economics of Land" roundtable, and as a panelist on the Sustainability Innovators Working Group Pre-conference Workshop, at the FORTUNE Brainstorm Green conference in Laguna Niguel, California. Hawkins spoke about the bottom-line impact of Dow's sustainability investments, which was highlighted in a FORTUNE article: "Dow's Amazing $7 Billion Profit on Green."

Responsible Operations
With more than 10 million square feet of facility space in more than 30 countries across six continents, Dow is managing growth while minimizing its footprint. For example:

• Dow's Houston, Texas, facility features construction materials made of at least 90 percent recycled material and reduces energy and water usage with Energy Star® appliances and low-flow toilets with water sensors.
  
• At the Shanghai Dow Center, water-saving systems for bathrooms and outdoor irrigation contribute to decreased water needs, and ice storage and heat recovery systems reduce electricity consumption.
  
• Green building features are found throughout Dow's state-of-the-art Diamond Tower in Sao Paulo, Brazil, including energy conservation sensors, and carpet and furniture designed to be recycled.
  
• Dow's headquarters building in Michigan has a "green roof" made out of 16 plant species that help slow air movement, act as a filter for pollution, create a habitat for wildlife and control storm water run-off.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: 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 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 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.