Dow AgroSciences today received one of the U.S. government’s top environmental honors, the 1999 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, for spinosad, an insect control technology derived through the fermentation of a naturally occurring organism.

The award, presented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of the White
House, recognizes technologies that incorporate the principals of green chemistry into chemical
design, manufacture and use. Green chemistry encompasses chemical processes that reduce
negative impacts on human health and the environment relative to the current state-of-the-art.

Spinosad is a revolutionary compound for insect control that combines thefavorable
environmental profile of a biological product with the efficacy of a synthetic technology. It offers
excellent control of targeted pests and low toxicity to non-target organisms, including most
beneficial insects.

Spinosad originated from soil samples taken by a vacationing Eli Lilly and Company scientist in
1982. Upon analysis, a biologically active organism was discovered that had insect control
potential. In 1989, The DowChemical Company and Lilly formed DowElanco and the new joint
venture company continued to research the potential benefits of the soil samples. In 1997, The
Dow Chemical Company acquired 100 percent of DowElanco, and the new wholly owned
subsidiary was renamed Dow AgroSciences in 1998.

"The benefits of spinosad have been realized through the teamwork and cooperation between
Lilly, Dow AgroSciences and The Dow Chemical Company," said Charlie Fischer, president and
chief executive officer of Dow AgroSciences. "We were able to work together to create a
revolutionary insect control product that offers the environmental and human health benefits of a
biological control agent with the performance of many traditional insecticides."

Spinosad is highly effective on destructive worm pests while being non-toxic to most beneficial
insects such as ladybugs. This allows growers to combine the effects of these natural predators
and supplementary insect control products to reduce the number of chemical treatments
required per crop or to extend intervals between sprays.

Spinosad was placed under expedited review by the EPA as a reduced risk pesticide and
received registration for use in cotton in 1997. Today, it has been approved for use in more than
16 crops and in more than 25 countries.

"Spinosad is a prime example of what good thinking can do," said Richard Gross, Vice
President and Director of Research and Development for The Dow Chemical Company. "It
illustrates our commitment to bring to market new, innovative and environmentally friendly
technologies to address the needs of today’s world. This award confirms that we are on the right
path."

In an effort to help spread the value of the new technology to the global agriculture market, Dow
is continuously evaluating new markets for spinosad.

"The new product has tremendous potential to revolutionize the way producers around the world
grow crops and help preserve the local environment," said Fischer.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a global leader in providing pest
management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth’s food
supply and contribute to the safety, health and quality of life of the world’s growing population.
The company employs more than 3,000 people in more than 50 countries and has worldwide
sales of more than $2 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow
Chemical Company.

The Dow Chemical Company is a global science and technology-based company that develops
and manufactures a portfolio of chemicals, plastics and agricultural products and services for
customers in 168 countries around the world. With annual sales of more than $18 billion, Dow
conducts its operations through 14 global businesses employing 39,000 people.

Company news release
N1903