New products and recognition mark a successful year for versatile polymers

Midland, MI - October 15, 2005

October 2005 saw the launch of two new grades of VERSIFY™ Plastomers and Elastomers from The Dow Chemical Company. The versatile family of specialty propylene-ethylene copolymers now features VERSIFY 2300 and VERSIFY 3300 Elastomers.

VERSIFY 2300 Elastomer, combined with other Dow products such as DOWLEX™ PE, ATTANE™ ULDPE, ELITE™ Enhanced PE and DOW LDPE resins, can be used in blown stretch hoods – the film covering designed to protect goods pallets – giving excellent elasticity, tear-resistance, holding force and stability.

VERSIFY 3300 Elastomer is used for stretch cling, elastic film and as a blend component in thermoplastic elastomers and olefins. It generates higher unstretched film cling levels and can be used in blends at lower addition levels. It also delivers consistent performance on wrapping machines in both hot and cold temperatures.

Award-winning performance

The launch of these two high-performance products coincided with Dow winning the R&D 100 award for their invention.

The prestigious prize, known as ‘the Oscars of invention’, is given to the 100 most innovative and technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace over the past year.

The family of VERSIFY products was recognized for its truly innovative technology – a breakthrough union of propylene and ethylene which helps produce films, fibers and molded parts with outstanding performance combinations.

Now in its 43^rd year, previous winners of the R&D 100 award include the halogen lamp, the fax machine, liquid crystal displays and high definition television.

“It is a real tribute to the strength of our research team that we have brought these two products to market which offer improvements in performance and processability,” said Deepak Parikh, global business development manager for elastomers at Dow.

“It is especially pleasing to have their innovation recognized by the R&D award.”