Dow Gives Building Industry More Reasons to Choose STYROFOAM(TM) Brand Insulation; Converts First Plant to Zero Ozone-Depleting, no-VOC Foaming Agent Technology

- Dalton, Ga., first Dow plant to convert ahead of Montreal Protocol

- ICC-ES report confirms the same thermal performance, moisture resistance and compressive strength

MIDLAND, Mich., March 18 /PRNewswire/ – The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) announced today that it has succeeded in converting its first facility that manufactures STYROFOAM(TM) Brand Insulation in Dalton, Ga., to its new zero ozone-depleting, no-VOC (volatile organic compound) foaming agent technology. The building industry has been watching closely to see when manufacturers will convert and how quickly they will be able to get new product into the supply chain. With Dow’s Dalton facility expected to begin shipments by the end of March, and other plants to follow in sequence throughout the year, Dow is well-positioned to complete conversion of its plants in advance of the Montreal Protocol deadline.

“Whenever you change the formulation for a trusted and proven brand like ours, absolutely no compromise on performance can be tolerated,” said Torsten Kraef, vice president and general manager, Dow Building Solutions. “With our tests completed and our ICC-ES report now in hand, we are following through on the commitment we made a little over a year ago to our customers – that the best and broadest portfolio of extruded polystyrene foam solutions in the industry will continue to be available after the Montreal Protocol deadline.”

The Montreal Protocol requires the phase-out of the hydrochloro-fluorocarbon (HCFC) 142b, an ozone-depleting compound by January 1, 2010. Dow developed its next-generation foaming agent technology well in advance of the Montreal Protocol and U.S. EPA guidelines, and is on track to convert its facilities in accordance with the Montreal Protocol. Dow’s new proprietary technology delivers the same STYROFOAM(TM) Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation R-5/inch insulation value***, moisture resistance and compressive strength that builders have trusted for more than 60 years, and offers an even “greener” choice to builders designing energy efficient homes and buildings with rigid foam insulation.

“STYROFOAM XPS Foam Insulation with our new foaming agent technology is exactly the right product at the exactly the right time,” noted Kraef. “The new U.S. Administration has put energy efficiency front-and-center. It is clear that we must stop the tremendous waste of energy and money spent operating poorly insulated homes, offices, schools and government buildings. That means building right the first time – with products that perform as well today as they do 60+ years from now.”

Sustainable Innovation

The proprietary foaming agent technology was developed by a team led by Dow’s Simon P. Lee, who was recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for his contribution to the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The no-VOC and zero ozone-depleting foaming agent technology isn’t the only way that the STYROFOAM Brand Insulation produced at the Dalton facility contributes to a more sustainable environment. Here are a few more facts:

• The manufacture of extruded polystyrene foam insulation at the Dalton facility relies on methane gas from a nearby landfill to reduce the amount of fossil fuels typically consumed during production.
• When properly installed in buildings, production capacity at Dalton of STYROFOAM(TM) brand insulation could save CO2 emissions** equivalent to:
  • Planting 700,000,000 trees
  • Taking 83,000 cars off the road for a year
  • Reducing vehicle travel by 1.4 trillion miles, or more than 56 million trips around the world
  • Saving approximately 70 billion gallons of gasoline or U.S. $140 billion
• The new technology has not affected Dow’s ability to recycle scrap STYROFOAM(TM) XPS Foam Insulation back into the production line either – just as its plants have for many years.

Business as Usual

STYROFOAM(TM) Brand Insulation with the new foaming agent technology will sport the same famous brand-leading BLUE(TM) color with the words “zero ozone depletion potential” on the product print mats and unit labels. Builders can easily validate the performance of STYROFOAM XPS Foam Insulation made with the new technology by showing to code officials the ICC-ES report issued in January 2009. Dow will continue to offer the product’s long-standing 15-year limited thermal warranty and 40-year limited reuse warranty (for STYROFOAM DECKMATE(TM) Plus). Customers supplied by the Dalton, Ga., plant can expect excellent product performance and uninterrupted product supply as the converted plant begins operations.

About Dow Building Solutions

Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential construction industry, which began with the launch of its flagship STYROFOAM(TM) Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, one of the most recognized brands of insulation in the world. A market-facing business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Building Solutions offers unsurpassed building science expertise to help builders, designers, architects and homeowners reduce energy costs and protect against wind, rain and moisture, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More information about Dow Building Solutions can be found at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com

About Dow

With annual sales of $58 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. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

More information about Dow’s new foaming agent technology is available at www.blue4greendesign.com/fa. For further product information, please contact Customer Information Group (866) 583-BLUE.

(R)(TM) Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

**Based on maximum production capacity at Dalton during a twenty year period, a product lifetime of 50 years, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions from the “Use of Dow Thermal Insulation.” This LCA study will be submitted for external publication in 2009.

***R means resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

(TM) The color BLUE is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company

SOURCE The Dow Chemical Company