Indianapolis, IN and Rastatt, Germany - December 17, 2008

Dow AgroSciences LLC announced today that the acquisition of the assets of Südwestsaat GbR (SWS), a hybrid maize company, is now complete. The acquisition was announced on October 10, 2008.

"We are pleased that the majority of previous SWS GbR employees have joined Dow AgroSciences now that the acquisition is complete and will continue to make contributions to the future success of the Dow AgroSciences European seeds platform," says Zoë Henderson, Dow AgroSciences business leader for seeds, traits and oils in Europe. "We look forward to SWS being fully integrated into the Dow AgroSciences European Seed Business over the coming months."

The former SWS GbR company focused on breeding, development, registration and production of high performing maize hybrids for Europe with sites in France, Hungary, Portugal as well as several in Germany. Dow AgroSciences has acquired the assets of SWS to include all these activities. The addition of SWS will build greatly upon Dow AgroSciences’ current seeds growth initiatives for Europe.

Hanover, Germany based SAATEN-UNION has been the long-standing sales and marketing partner for SWS. Dow AgroSciences announced today SAATEN-UNION will be its preferred commercial partner for maize seed on a long-term basis in Europe.

"This agreement will significantly strengthen the potential portfolio of maize products that SAATEN-UNION offers to the market as the agreement includes the future access to Dow AgroSciences maize hybrids and technologies," said Dethmer Schuitema Managing Director of SAATEN-UNION.

"This gives significant market access for Dow AgroSciences broad portfolio of maize germplasm and traits. Dow AgroSciences will benefit from the high quality marketing and sales services that SAATEN-UNION provides to the maize market in Europe. Dow AgroSciences also recognises the value of the premium brand image of SAATEN-UNION," adds Henderson.

About SWS

Südwestsaat GbR (SWS) was a well-established German based hybrid maize company. It was founded in 1997 based on the breeding activities of the three shareholders whose maize breeding activity traces back to 1912. SWS was owned by three member companies of SAATEN-UNION GmbH -- Dr. Hans Rolf Späth GmbH & Co. KG., Fr. Strube Saatzucht GmbH & Co. KG and Nordsaat Saatzucht GmbH. SWS focused on breeding, development, registration and production of high performing maize hybrids for Europe. The main research centre is located at the SWS headquarters at Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Trials and seed production are also carried out at multiple European sites.

About SAATEN-UNION

SAATEN-UNION with its seven subsidiaries is a strongly growing seed company with a broad range of agricultural crops all over Europe. The group has around 780 employees and has revenue of around 175 million euros in the business year 2007/2008. www.saaten-union.de

About Dow AgroSciences

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population.  Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.com

For Editorial Information:

Robyn Heine
Dow AgroSciences LLC
1-317-337-4807