New IMPAXX™ energy absorbing foam from Dow Automotive provides superior performance, minimizes weight and use of packaging space while also reducing cost. IMPAXX is a lower cost alternative to polyurethane and polypropylene materials.

IMPAXX energy absorbing foam enables last-minute design changes, as it requires no tooling costs and minimal lead time. Commercialized on several 2006 and 2007 model year passenger vehicles in headliner/head impact applications, IMPAXX provides high safety performance at a lower cost.

Without compromising energy absorption performance, IMPAXX can reduce weight by up to 50 percent versus polyurethane and polypropylene parts. Packaging space can be reduced by up to 30 percent, offering greater design freedom. For example, larger and deeper door pockets are now possible in door trims. Similarly, headliners can be designed to provide additional occupant headroom enhancing passenger comfort and enabling OEMs to meet new roof crush safety standards.

Dow Automotive also offers customers full service support to assist in the application of IMPAXX. Services include conceptual part design with CAD, component-level testing capabilities, prototype parts and quality control according to QS/ISO international standards. Early CAD/CAE involvement has been shown to significantly lower development time and costs.

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.

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.