Dow Chemical, W.R. Grace, enter agreement to develop non-phthalate catalysts for polypropylene production, expect to begin commercial production this year

Wendy Lisney

COLUMBIA, Maryland , March 29, 2012 (press release) – W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) to develop new catalysts for polypropylene production. The catalysts, which use one of Dow’s non-phthalate internal donor technologies and Grace proprietary catalyst expertise, will be sold by Grace under the HYAMPP™ brand.

HYAMPP™ catalysts are non-phthalate catalysts with industry-leading activity and performance benefits, and represent sixth-generation technology. They enable producers to make resins that improve the performance of plastics, including better clarity, stiffness and impact strength, providing a pathway to new applications requiring more demanding properties that cannot be met by current generation catalysts. Customers can use the resins in a broad range of applications such as films, high-performance pipe, automobile parts, household appliances and household containers. Grace expects to begin commercial production of the new catalysts in 2012.

“We are continuously looking for ways to better meet the needs of our customers and the end-users of their products,” said Tony Dondero, Vice President and General Manager of Grace’s Specialty Catalysts & Process Technologies product line. “This technology enables our customers to produce new and advanced polypropylene products, including stronger, clearer resins with improved processability while also improving plant productivity.”

“Dow is continuously strengthening our ability to bring enhanced technology to the polypropylene market,” said Tracy Cleckler, Global Commercial Director for Dow Licensing and Catalysts. “This agreement broadens Dow’s reach in the polypropylene industry and aids manufacturers in their quest to meet increasing global demand for premium, value-added polypropylene products.”

Grace has been a leading producer and supplier of advanced polyolefin catalysts for more than 50 years. The development and commercialization of these new catalysts is one of many ways in which Grace has grown its polypropylene catalyst capabilities. In 2011, Grace completed the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Worms, Germany to increase production of Ziegler-Natta polypropylene catalysts. In 2010, Grace acquired Synthetech, Inc. for additional single-site and polypropylene catalyst manufacturing and technology capability.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

About Grace

Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts; engineered and packaging materials; and, specialty construction chemicals and building materials. The company’s three industry-leading business segments—Grace Catalysts Technologies, Grace Materials Technologies and Grace Construction Products—provide innovative products, technologies and services that enhance the quality of life. Grace employs approximately 6,000 people in over 40 countries and had 2011 net sales of $3.2 billion. More information about Grace is available at www.grace.com.

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