The Dow Chemical Company Introduces New Products to Expand Line of Building Envelope Solutions

2006 International Builders Show Promises Energy Efficient Solutions for Residential Construction

Orlando, FL - January 11, 2006

As the cost of energy continues to escalate and the environmental impact of energy production becomes an increasing concern, the pressure to conserve energy resources is at an all-time high. According to representatives from Dow Building and Construction, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, exhibiting this week at the 2006 International Builders' Show (IBS), home insulation is now playing an even greater role in home construction.

"Better builders are now proactively catering to savvy consumers by installing energy saving insulated sheathings under vinyl, brick, or stucco," said Scott Young, Senior Residential Market Manager, Dow Building & Construction. "Dow leverages its global, science-based expertise when developing its full line of energy and moisture solutions. These solutions are backed by a solid reputation developed through ongoing R&D relationships spanning the past 60 years with innovative home builders and building science experts."

According to industry experts, home heating and cooling costs are projected to increase again this year by as much as 40 to 50 percent. As a result, homebuilders are looking for economical solutions to reduce monthly energy burdens for prospective homeowners in order to better market their homes and to increase home affordability and sustainability.

This year, Dow Building & Construction is focusing on the issues at hand and making energy efficiency and moisture management its themes for IBS 2006. Dow will expand its full line of building envelope solutions by unveiling a variety of innovative new products at the show, all based on its flagship STYROFOAM™ Brand insulation, a product The Dow Chemical Company invented more than 60 years ago.

"Based on our extensive background in science and technology, Dow is committed to developing products that facilitate the construction of more energy efficient and moisture resistant homes," said Young.

WEATHERMATE™ Weather Barrier Solutions, GREAT STUFF™ Pro, THERMAX™ White Finish, SYMMATRIX™ Composite Decking and STYROFOAM™ BLUEGUARD™ extruded foam insulation are Dow Building & Construction's newest products being introduced at IBS 2006. These products work in tandem with current Dow products or individually to provide builders with application-specific solutions for the entire home, from top to bottom, inside and out, across the entire building envelope.

For enhanced protection against air infiltration and moisture penetration, Dow Building and Construction offers WEATHERMATE™ Weather Barrier Solutions. This product lineup includes STYROFOAM™ WEATHERMATE™ housewraps, WEATHERMATE™ Construction Tape, WEATHERMATETM Flashing, and WEATHERMATE TM Sill Pan.

WEATHERMATE™ Flashing provides a watertight seal around a window, door or skylight opening. Featuring a butyl adhesive, WEATHERMATE™ Flashing readily adheres to most building materials and is self-sealing over nails and staples. Applying WEATHERMATE™ Flashing over seams around doors and windows can provide a permanent defense against moisture penetration. WEATHERMATE™ Flashing is available in both straight and flexible designs.

GREAT STUFF™ Pro polyurethane insulating foam sealants are minimal expansion foams that fill gaps and holes and seal doorways and windows. The sealants expand to take the shape of the cracks and voids to form a permanent, airtight, and water-resistant bond that eliminates unwanted airflow and helps reduce condensation. GREAT STUFF™ Pro Gaps and Cracks and GREAT STUFF™ Pro Window and Door are signature products within the GREAT STUFF™ Pro lineup. Featuring breakthrough technology, GREAT STUFF™ Pro Window and Door Insulating Foam Sealant is a low-pressure formulation designed to air seal the gap between the window or door and its rough opening while ensuring window and door frames do not buckle or bow once applied. All GREAT STUFF™ Pro products are polyurethane-based and offer superior performance advantages over latex products.

GREAT STUFF™ Pro Wall & Floor Construction Adhesive, a new addition to the GREAT STUFF™ Pro product line, is a heavy-duty adhesive for wall and floor construction. The polyurethane-based adhesive formulation is superior to traditional adhesive because of its excellent bonding power on dry as well as damp surfaces.

TILE BOND™ Roof Tile Adhesive is used to install most low/flat, medium, high and two-piece barrel profiles of roof tile in new and re-roof applications.

THERMAX™ White Finish Insulation Board is a non-structural, rigid board insulation consisting of a glass-fiber-reinforced polyisocyanturate foam core laminated between aluminum foil facers. The glass-fiber reinforcement, along with chemical modifications, contributes to improved fire performance and enhanced dimensional stability. THERMAX™ White Finish Boards are lightweight and easy to handle. They are ideal for use in crawlspaces, new frame wall construction behind masonry, siding, walls and ceilings and in interior basement applications.

After more than 60 years, Dow Building & Construction is moving outside the house with an exciting new product called SYMMATRIX™ Composite Decking. SYMMATRIX™ Composite Decking is a blend of wood and polymer, specially formulated and manufactured for optimal performance. A deck made with SYMMATRIX™ does not require sealing or staining and is designed to stand up to the elements for many years. It resists water absorption, cracking, splitting and warping, and requires little maintenance. SYMMATRIX™ Composite Decking is available in a variety of colors and the boards are reversible.

At IBS 2006, Dow Building & Construction will also offer complimentary technical sessions at the Dow Solutions Theater with two of the industry's leading experts, Dr. Joe Lstiburek and Jay Crandell. Technical sessions with these experts and others will be offered on January 11 - 14, as will live product demonstrations. As seating is limited, visitors interested in attending should register at www.insulateyourhome.com/ibs.

To learn more about the full line of application-specific solutions from Dow visit www.insulateyourhome.com, call 866.583.BLUE (2583) or stop by Dow's booth at IBS, W2543.

About Dow
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

For Editorial Information:

Jan McKinnon
The Dow Chemical Company
519.339.5028

McKaela Moran
Porter Novelli
212.601.8283