Auburn Hills, Mich., April 7, 2006 --- Dow Automotive is increasing their research and development presence in Japan, providing further support for Japanese OEMs with the opening of the Dow Automotive Technology Center (DATC) in Kawasaki, Japan. Following a number of years of active involvement with Japanese OEMS, specifically in the area of glass bonding systems, Dow Automotive will utilize R&D experts at the DATC to validate new and evolving technologies that will meet the needs of this important customer base.

"This new automotive facility will enable Dow Automotive to work more closely with our Japanese customers, giving us the opportunity to demonstrate how our solutions meet their stringent requirements,” said George Hamilton, president of Dow Automotive. “Our initial focus will be in the area of adhesives, which can help streamline manufacturing processes, improve weight and cost efficiencies and provide important safety benefits. We will soon expand our initiatives to include plastics, energy absorbing (EA) foams, diesel emissions technology and other new materials."

About Dow Automotive
Dow Automotive is a leading supplier of plastics, adhesives, sealants and other plastics-enhanced products for interior, exterior, under-the-hood, vehicle body structure and acoustical management applications. The organization serves global tier, OEM and aftermarket customers. With offices and application development centers around the world, Dow Automotive provides materials science expertise and comprehensive technical capabilities to its customers worldwide. For additional information about Dow Automotive products and services, visit www.dowautomotive.com.