2.18.2008 - 11:59pm ET

(CSRwire) SHANGHAI, CHINA - February 18, 2008 - Dow Water Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, recently announced that its FILMTEC(TM) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes will be installed at three wastewater reclamation and reuse facilities, in conjunction with the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. It is estimated that the components supplied by Dow Water Solutions will help treat 45,000 m(3) of water per day, the largest volume of municipal waste water in Olympic related projects in Beijing. The 2008 Olympics will be the second time that Dow membrane technology helps manage water resources for the Olympic Games as the technology was deployed in 2000 during the Sydney Games.

"Dow implemented a similar water reclamation project for the Sydney Olympic Games, and we are excited to bring our expertise and proven membrane technology to another world showcase event," said Mr. Niann-Tsyr Yuen, Asia Pacific FILMTEC membranes product marketing manager, Dow Water Solutions. "Reliable, long-term performance gives our customer confidence in FILMTEC membranes, and as part of Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals, we will continue providing high-performance, affordable solutions for the China market to help facilitate sustainable water management."

Through the continued efforts of the Beijing Municipal Government, the wastewater reuse rate in Beijing will reach 50 percent when the Olympic Games begin in 2008, compared with the current 15 percent rate, according to Beijing Drainage Group.

The endeavor to help make the Olympics an eco-friendly event relies on some of the most advanced environmental protection technologies, and the three facilities to use FILMTEC membranes are among the pioneer projects in Beijing. The facilities to be equipped with FILMTEC(TM) membranes include Beixiaohe Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Reclaimed Water Reuse for Beijing Capital International Airport, and the Beijing Economic -Technological Development Area (BDA).

The sewage water reuse facility in Beixiaohe Wastewater Treatment Plant is designed to produce 15,000 m(3)/day of filtered water for landscape care. The Reclaimed Water Reuse for Beijing Capital International Airport, with capacity of 10,000 m(3)/day, will recycle municipal wastewater for the daily water consumptions of the airport and to help meet the needs airport of approximately 20,000 visitors per day. The treated water from the Reclaimed Water Reuse for Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), with capacity of 20,000 m(3)/day, will be supplied as industrial water to the companies in BDA. Combined, these three facilities will provide 45,000 m(3)/day of water, enough to fill 18 Olympic size swimming pools every day.

FILMTEC reverse osmosis membranes serve as the heart of these plants and are made from a thin-film composite polyamide material. Their high resistance to bio-fouling (i.e., the build-up of biological matter inside the membrane element) extends the time between necessary membrane cleanings. And with excellent membrane performance and automated precision fabrication, FILMTEC elements enable higher solids and organics rejection, lower energy usage, and higher performance consistency. The recovery rate can reach 75 to 80 percent. The optimal design and reliability of FILMTEC elements significantly reduce system capital and operating costs.

The water recycling plants are expected to come online in early 2008. Beijing CNC water Technology Ltd. (A Siemens Business), Beijing Lucency Enviro-tech Co., Ltd. and Bluestar Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd. will install the system for Beixiaohe, Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Economic -Technological Development Area (BDA) projects respectively.

About Dow Water Solutions

Dow Water Solutions is a performance-based business unit comprised of leading world-class brands and enabling component technologies designed to advance the science of water purification around the world, including seawater desalination, contaminant removal and water reuse. With more than 1,000 employees worldwide, the business maintains five production facilities globally to manufacture, market and sell FILMTEC(TM) reverse osmosis membranes, DOWEX(TM) ion exchange resins, ADSORBSIA(TM) GTO(TM) titanium-based arsenic removal media, OMEXELL(TM) ultra filtration, and OMEXELL(TM) electrode ionization components. Dow Water Solutions also manufactures, markets and sells premier water purification systems in China. For additional information about Dow Water Solutions products, visit www.dowwatersolutions.com.

About Dow

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

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