Designated the International Year of Chemistry by the United Nations, 2011 will be dedicated to showcasing the contributions and potential of chemistry to address world challenges

MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris announced today that the Company has partnered with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) as the first global partner for the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) in 2011. Designated by the United Nations, IYC is an initiative led by IUPAC and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). IYC events in 2011 will celebrate achievements in science and the potential of chemistry to address world challenges through education, innovation and international collaboration.

Dow has committed to leverage its science and technology expertise, sustainability focus and global network to support a range of events and activities that promote the role of chemistry in the advancement of human progress, environmental protection and economic development. As the first chemical company to establish a global partnership in this effort, Dow will support IYC at local, regional and national levels.

“Dow salutes the United Nations for designating 2011 the International Year of Chemistry, as this presents a tremendous opportunity for the world to celebrate the achievements and potential of chemistry – both the material science and the human aspects of chemistry,” said Liveris. “We see tremendous value in partnering with IUPAC and leveraging Dow’s experience and industry leadership to foster international cooperation around advancing chemistry to solve world challenges such as energy, housing, health, food and nutrition, infrastructure and economic development. We are focused on principles of sustainability, innovation and collaboration in our pursuit of solutions that apply chemistry as a catalyst of change.”

Under the theme “Chemistry – Our Life, Our Future” and beginning in January 2011, IYC will consist of a year-long series of events, educational lectures, exhibits and experiments around the globe designed to focus the world’s attention on the importance of chemistry in supporting basic human and economic needs. These activities will be kicked off with the official International Year of Chemistry Opening Ceremony, to be held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris January 27–28, 2011.

IYC also coincides with the 100th anniversary of both the Nobel Prize award to Madame Marie Curie and the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies. Programming will highlight women in chemistry and international partnerships, with the aim of increasing public appreciation of chemistry, encouraging interest in chemistry among young people and generating enthusiasm for the creative future of this science.

“I strongly believe that it is time to celebrate the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind," said Nicole Moreau, President of IUPAC. "The slogan ‘chemistry, our life, our future’ was chosen to introduce the events to young people, students, decision-makers and the general public. It stresses a science and an industry that are at the center of our material understanding of the world, and that provides one of the keys to answer the problems that energy, sustainable development and health pose for the future of our planet and humankind. The fundamental and manifold industrial applications of chemistry make active participation by the chemical industry, of which Dow is one of the major leaders, critical to the success of the International Year of Chemistry."

For more information, visit www.dow.com and www.chemistry2011.org.

About Dow

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 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 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.

About IUPAC

IUPAC was formed in 1919 by chemists from industry and academia. For nearly 90 years, the Union has succeeded in fostering worldwide communications in the chemical sciences and in uniting academic, industrial and public sector chemistry in a common language. IUPAC is recognized as the world authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, standardized methods for measurement, atomic weights and many other critically evaluated data. In more recent years, IUPAC has been pro-active in establishing a wide range of conferences and projects designed to promote and stimulate modern developments in chemistry, and also to assist in aspects of education and public understanding of chemistry. More information about IUPAC and its activities is available at www.iupac.org.

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For editorial information:

Bob Plishka
The Dow Chemical Company
+1 989 638-2288    
bplishka@dow.com

or

Greg Baldwin
The Dow Chemical Company
+1 989 638-0745  
gbaldwin@dow.com