Dow Enhances its Ability to Provide Adhesive Solutions by Opening Wind Energy Application Center

FREIENBACH, SWITZERLAND -- Dow Formulated Systems, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) opened a Global Wind Application Center in Switzerland. As part of a new 800m Composite Excellence Center in Freienbach (Zurich Area) the Wind Application Center includes new system formulation capabilities, process testing equipment and semi-scale lab demonstration tools. This development gives Dow enhanced ability to deliver a complete solutions portfolio of resins, foams, and adhesives to wind blade manufacturers.

Existing equipment was transferred from a smaller lab in Baltringen, Germany. In addition, the new larger component scale manufacturing equipment covers adhesive bonding, vacuum bagging, vacuum resin infusion at room and elevated temperatures - capabilities that are critical for testing and manufacturing of AIRSTONE Systems from Dow. Another highlight of the wind application testing facilities is a new, 5 meter blade mold section. This mold section is fully equipped with cooling and heating capabilities, coupled with temperature development sensors and will be used to test and demonstrate Dows innovations, such as the COMPAXX foam core system. Additional capabilities include hotwire cutting, computer controlled milling and compression molding.

"The lab expansion is a result of continuous efforts to provide reliable innovation to our customers in the wind energy business," said Jean Luc Guillaume, Global Marketing Manager for Wind Energy at Dow Formulated Systems. "As wind energy grows long-term, it will continue to require innovation in blade technology. We look forward to using this application center to further strengthen our ability to help customers advance their technologies for this sustainable energy source."

About Dow Formulated Systems

Dow Formulated Systems, a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) develops and markets fully-formulated polyurethane and epoxy systems. With tailor-made solutions it serves customers in a variety of industries to realize applications ranging from residential and commercial construction, infrastructure repair, wind energy solutions, furniture, and shoe soles to decorative molding and athletic equipment. Striving to meet the specific needs of its customers in their local geographic regions, Dow Formulated Systems operates a global network of 30 Systems Houses and Innovation Centers.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology 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 worlds most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dows 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 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Companys more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

Source: Dow