Dow Injects Innovation into New Products at PLASTIC JAPAN

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dow Plastics Additives, a business group within The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:Dow) and leading innovator in plastics additives, introduces its pioneering new additive solutions for engineering polymers in the durables, electronics, and transportation (DE&T) markets at PLASTIC JAPAN 2012. Specifically, ULTRALOID^TM Anti-Scratch Additives and a new generation of PARALOID™ EXL Optical Modifiers will be unveiled, with commercial launch targeted for 2^nd half of 2012 and 2013 respectively.

PLASTIC JAPAN 2012 (April 11–13, 2012) is the first event of its kind for highly-functional plastics in Japan. During the event, Dr. Eric G. Lundquist, global R&D director for Dow Plastics Additives, will deliver a key note address on April 11 entitled Additives for Highly Functional Plastics. “The show is a perfect venue to showcase Dow Plastics Additives’ entire portfolio of highly innovative solutions for DE&T markets,” said Arthur Chiu, global marketing & product director for Dow Plastics Additives. “Our upcoming product launches reinforce Dow’s standing as the innovation leader in these markets.”

The new range of ULTRALOID™ Anti-Scratch Additives provides scratch-resistance to polycarbonate by increasing surface hardness without compromising polymer flowability or mechanical strength. ULTRALOID™ Additives increases pencil hardness of neat polycarbonate from B to H/2H without the use of complicated and expensive post-processing hard coatings. Ultimately, a suite of ULTRALOID™ Anti-Scratch Additives will be developed to cover a full range of opaque to transparent applications.

A new generation of PARALOID™ EXL Optical Modifiers has been designed specifically for LED (light emitting diodes) lighting applications. LED lighting systems are becoming more prevalent due to their low energy consumption, long life, and lack of heavy metals. However, LED light points are often too harsh for consumers, causing uncomfortable glare. The New PARALOID EXL Optical Modifiers serve as light diffusers when compounded with polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate, or polystyrene, and deliver superior light transmission (maximizing lumens per watt) while satisfying aesthetic requirements by providing softer lighting.

“Dow Plastics Additives’ new innovations have been driven by both strong global and Asia Pacific market needs, particularly in the consumer electronics and automotive sectors,” said Chiu. To learn more about these and other exciting innovations, please visit the Dow booth (E3-3) during PLASTIC JAPAN.

About Dow Plastics Additives

As a global supplier of plastics additives serving packaging, building and construction and engineering materials worldwide, Dow Plastics Additives provides the market with a broad line of high quality additives for vinyl, polyester, polycarbonate and other engineering plastics, their alloys and poly-lactic acid resins. With manufacturing facilities globally and a worldwide team the business offers speed to market, technical expertise and market-driven solutions to customers. More information about Dow Plastics Additives can be found at www.dow.com/additives.

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 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 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's 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. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

For editorial information:
Dow Chemical (China) Co., Ltd.
Rachel Wu, +86 21 3851 2961
rachelwu@dow.com