DOW INTRODUCES DOWFLAKE XTRA 83-87 PER CENT CALCIUM CHLORIDE

Dow’s customers will soon get more calcium chloride per pound of product purchased with new DOWFLAKE™ Xtra 83-87 per cent calcium flake. The new product will replace DOWFLAKE 77-80 per cent calcium chloride flake. It is used in a variety of applications including ice melt, dust control, as an accelerant for setting concrete and water treatment.

“DOWFLAKE Xtra 83-87 per cent flake is aptly named because it offers customers more of what they want, including extra performance, quality and value,” said Greg MacDonnell, Dow marketing manager. “This new product underscores our long-term commitment to our customer’s success and we anticipate it will quickly become the industry standard.”

DOWFLAKE Xtra 83-87 per cent flake contains eight to 10 per cent more calcium chloride than the traditional 77 per cent calcium chloride flake product. Because it is more concentrated, DOWFLAKE Xtra 83-87 per cent delivers more performance pound-for-pound than traditional 77 per cent calcium chloride flake. The higher concentration will reduce handling, storage, transportation and bag disposal costs all of which have increased significantly over the last several years.

Full production of DOWFLAKE will begin in January 2007 at Dow’s Ludington, Mich., production plant. This news follows an announcement in May indicating Dow’s plans to increase capacity by 30 per cent by the second quarter of 2007 through new, planned investments in the plant.

“Customers continue to rely on Dow for all of those other extras they’ve come to expect, including reliable supply, consistent quality, fast response and leading technical service and development,” MacDonnell said. “These qualities have distinguished Dow from the competition for nearly 100 years. As we continue to invest in our plant capability and in new products, we are reinforcing our commitment to our customers now and in the future.”

For more information, visit Dow’s web site at www.dow.com.