Dow and Rohm and Haas Confirm FTC Clearance

MIDLAND, Mich., Jan. 23  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and Rohm and Haas Company (NYSE:ROH) announced jointly today that the United States Federal Trade Commission has voted to accept a consent decree agreed to by The Dow Chemical Company.

Rohm and Haas and Dow also stated that they are discussing the closing of the transaction contemplated by their pending merger agreement.

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.

Note: The forward-looking statements contained in this document involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. The Company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

About Rohm and Haas

About Rohm and Haas Company Leading the way since 1909, Rohm and Haas is a global pioneer in the creation and development of innovative technologies and solutions for the specialty materials industry.  The company's technologies are found in a wide range of industries including: Building and Construction, Electronics and Electronic Devices, Household Goods and Personal Care, Packaging and Paper, Transportation, Pharmaceutical and Medical, Water, Food and Food Related, and Industrial Process. Innovative Rohm and Haas technologies and solutions help to improve life every day, around the world. Based in Philadelphia, PA, the company generated annual sales of approximately $8.9 billion in 2007. Visit http://www.rohmhaas.com/ for more information. imagine the possibilities(TM)

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors. These factors include, but are not limited to (1) the cost of raw materials, natural gas, and other energy sources, and the ability to achieve price increases to offset such cost increases, (2) development of operational efficiencies; (3) changes in foreign currencies; (4) changes in interest rates; (5) the continued timely development and acceptance of new products and services; (6) the impact of competitive products and pricing; (7) the impact of new accounting standards; (8) assessments for asset impairments; (9) the impact of tax and other legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which the company operates; (10) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement between Rohm and Haas Company and The Dow Chemical Company or to the failure of any condition to be satisfied; (11) the risk that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the merger; and (12) the possibility that Rohm and Haas may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.  Many of these factors are beyond Rohm and Haas's ability to control or predict. Actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statement.  Further information about these and other risks can be found in the company's SEC 10-K filing of February 21, 2008, and updated in the 8-K filing on June 6, 2008. This press release speaks only as of its date.  Rohm and Haas is under no duty to update this information. Copies of all recent SEC filings, and additional information about Rohm and Haas, are available through our web site:  http://www.rohmhaas.com/ 

DATASOURCE: The Dow Chemical Company



CONTACT:  Investor Relations: Howard Ungerleider, Vice President,

Investor Relations, [phone], , or Media Relations: David

Winder, [phone], , both of The Dow Chemical

Company; or Contacts for The Rohm and Haas Company:  Investor Relations:

Andrew Sandifer Director, Investor Relations, [phone],

, or Media Relations: Emily Riley, Corporate

Communications, [phone],    



Web site:  http://www.dow.com/

http://www.rohmhaas.com/ 



Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/252850.html

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