Dow Challenges Students Around the World to Develop the Next Generation of Near-Zero Dwellings

Dow Solar Design to Zero Competition Will Stimulate Innovation and Global Dialogue on Trends for Sustainable Construction

MIDLAND, Mich. - Wednesday, August 17th 2011 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As a leading global chemical company focused on bringing innovative solutions to some of the world’s main challenges, The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) launched today the Dow Solar Design to Zero Competition, an international challenge open to architecture, design and engineering students and professionals. The competition challenges students to develop innovative projects incorporating active and passive solar technologies, among other sustainable construction-related solutions, to design near-zero energy multi-family dwellings.

“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Dow, so this competition is a great way to learn from today’s students about the type of sustainable design solutions we need to foster for the future,” explained Pat Nugent, director of new business development, Dow Solar.

The Dow Solar Design to Zero competition aligns with Dow’s commitment and vision articulated in its ambitious 2015 sustainability goals, which include developing and applying innovative technologies and collaborations that further sustainability.

For more information on the Dow Design to Zero Competition and prize information, please visit www.designtozero.comand follow competition conversations on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/designtozero) and on Twitter hashtag #DesignToZero.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" 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 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 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.

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

Contacts

For editorial information:

The Dow Chemical Company

Fernão Silveira / Kate Nigro

+1 989-638-1006

fsilveira@dow.com/ knigro@dow.com



GolinHarris

Michael Savoni

+1 312 729-4050

msavoni@golinharris.com