An in-depth and comprehensive source of information and advice on bale silage

Horgen, Switzerland - March 20, 2006

A newly created Web site, www.dowsilage.com, offers silage and haylage producers and users, others in the bale silage supply chain, as well as advisers, journalists and academics a unique and comprehensive platform to gain new insights and share best practices with regards to the European bale silage market.

A pioneer in silage bale plastic wrap, Dow, the manufacturer of DOWLEX™ polyethylene resins, is committed to the maintenance of effective work relationships with leading organisations and experts in the silage market in order to assess and further explore its dynamics, trends and technical developments.

"Dow has a genuine interest in researching, monitoring and further advancing trends and practices of the bale silage market, whilst making this excellent method of preserving fodder accessible to a growing number of users through advocating in-depth information on the advantages and benefits of this cost-effective and versatile option", said Sander van Veen, Silage Market Development Manager at Dow.

"With our new website, Dow does not only wish to endow practitioners within the market with a tool for gaining first-hand information on the topic, but also seeks to give farmers, contractors and other key players in the market an even easier access to the latest news on current practices, market trends and future developments".

A large section of the website is dedicated to the provision of guidance and advice to silage and haylage producers and users in order to enable them to improve production practices by giving them access to a series of practical tools and tips.

Market experts and academics share their specialist knowledge on best bale silage production practices, discuss the latest innovations of materials, techniques and technologies and analyse the latest research-based developments in the key European markets as well as the areas of growing interest within the silage bale wrapping business.

The website is currently available in English only. A German language version will soon be available.

For more information on Dow and its activities in the silage market, please visit www.dowsilage.com or request specific information via the following e-mail address: dow@silage.com

Notes to editors:

DOWLEX polyethylene resins, designed and adapted for bale wrapping films, are made of low density linear polyethylene.

Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

For Editorial Information:

Shanna Wendt
Dow Europe GmbH
+41 44 728 2082

Sergio Di Gesù
Porter Novelli
+ 32 2 413 0340