Dow Resumes Operations Of TERGITOL And TRITON Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE); Octylphenol Ethoxylates (OPE) and CARBOWAX SENTRY and Industrial Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

Supply Constraints Likely to Continue Due to Transportation

Midland, MI - The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") today announced that production operations of their Polyglycols & Surfactants products shipping from its subsidiary (St. Charles Operations) located in Hahnville, Louisiana have been resumed.

"We are thankful that our production equipment at the site did not experience significant structural damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina, says Keith Wiggins, Global Commercial Director, Polyglycols & Surfactants. Transportation and logistics continue to be constrained on the Gulf Coast and Southeastern United States as a result of the impact from both Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Although improving, rail logistics will likely continue to present supply disruptions over the coming months" adds Wiggins.

The force majeure declation which Dow declared on September 2, 2005, for TERGITOL and TRITON Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE); Octylphenol Ethoxylates (OPE) and CARBOWAX SENTRY and Industrial Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) has been removed. The business is now able to operate safely at reduced levels in terms of production.

Dow also is removing all allocations for solid and molten PEGs with the exception of CARBOWAX SENTRY 1450 PEG Flake, which will remain on 100% allocation until further notice. All NPE/OPE products remain on 125% allocation. Product availability, which is specific to each product, is driven by a number of factors, including inventory levels prior to the hurricane and the speed at which normal production levels are achieved and sustained.

SOURCE: The Dow Chemical Company