Midland, MI.

* Insulation is one of the most important elements of green homes and buildings.
* STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing and the THERMAX™ Wall System seen by experts as contributing the most value to builders, remodelers and architects.
* Dow Building Solutions is the first company to win multiple green product awards in the same competition.

Dow Building Solutions (DBS) has brought home the "green" from Building Products magazine's second annual Green Product Awards contest.

DBS earned the coveted awards for two different continuous insulation (ci) wall systems - STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing and the THERMAX™ Wall System. This is the first time in the competition's history that a company has won for two products in the same year.

"Builders, contractors and architects recognize the value of insulation in making a structure greener and more energy efficient," said Mike McGaugh, vice president and general manager, Dow Building Solutions, North America. "At Dow, we are helping to make green-built homes and buildings even better by developing and bringing to market new technologies that perform better, save more energy and are easier to install."

The winners of the 2009 Green Product Awards represent product introductions that excelled in three areas: sustainability, value to the contractor, and innovation. The ultimate award winners were those deemed to contribute the most to green-built homes and buildings, and offer the most value to builders, remodelers and architects.

STYROFOAM SIS™ Structural Insulated Sheathing from Dow combines a structural layer, a moisture barrier, and foam insulation, providing R-values of 3.0 at ½ inch or 5.5 at 1 inch. Made of up to 80 percent post-consumer recycled content by weight, STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing is ENERGY STAR-qualified. And, at one-third the weight of OSB†, it is easier to handle and quicker to install. One judge summed up the products benefits as, "This appears to be an excellent product, providing wall bracing, energy performance, and the potential for weatherization all in one. The labor savings alone is huge."

"Builders who have switched from un-insulated sheathing, such as OSB, to STYROFOAM SIS™ like the fact that they only need one product to deliver structure, water resistance and thermal insulation," said John Hammer, residential market manager, Dow Building Solutions, North America. "It's an easier way for them to build greener homes. Homeowners benefit too, saving anywhere from $200-$500 on their energy bills‡."

The THERMAX™ Wall System by Dow is a new approach to steel stud wall design that makes it easier to minimize a building's energy usage in a cost-effective manner. The system integrates continuous rigid foam insulation and flashing on the exterior, and spray polyurethane foam on the interior. It provides an R-value of up to 28.8, blocks air infiltration, and helps prevent moisture intrusion.

"THERMAX™ is truly innovative because it reduces the number of trades involved in erecting the wall assembly and, because of the spray-applied interior wall insulation, the smallest penetrations are eliminated," said Birmingham, Michigan, architect Victor Saroki of Victor Saroki & Associates, in a testimonial.

"When we calculated the tremendous energy loss in steel stud construction that used traditional gypsum and batt insulation, we decided to create a wall system that provides thermal protection and prevents air and moisture penetration without adding steps," said Doug Todd, commercial market manager, Dow Building Solutions, North America. "With some recent projects, our customers have reported energy savings of 30 to 40 percent over the original design, and capital cost reductions for materials and labor of up to $60,000."

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Three AIHA and NVLAP Accredited Labs now serving greater Los Angeles...

LA Testing has continued to make strides to satisfy their client base with the recent acquisition of a laboratory in Torrance, CA. The laboratory in Torrance provides asbestos testing by polarized light microscopy (PLM) and phase contrast microscopy. In addition, the laboratory also provides mold analysis of spore traps, tape lifts and culture plates. The laboratory is currently accredited by NVLAP and CA ELAP accredited for asbestos analysis and AIHA EMLAP for mold analysis.

Over the past several years, LA Testing has become a leading player in the Southern California environmental, indoor air quality, materials characterization and product testing marketplace. The South Pasadena, CA laboratory has built up a reputation as being the leading laboratory for soot identification testing utilized by many high end environmental professionals providing fire damage investigations throughout the state of California. The Los Alamitos laboratory is a full service industrial hygiene testing laboratory providing a wide range of analytical services to support industrial hygiene professionals throughout the west coast.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
The laboratories currently service clients internationally. Those clients include IAQ professionals, environmental consultants, abatement firms, restoration firms, environmental engineers, industrial hygienists, construction firms, engineering firms, remediation firms, contractors, mortgage companies, home inspectors, building inspection firms, carpet cleaners, duct cleaners, home owners, home builders, HVAC contractors, roofing companies, health and safety professionals, hospitals, doctors, manufacturing firms, management firms, real estate firms, landlords, mortgage companies, attorneys, testing firms, laboratories, schools, universities, forensic consultants, health departments, fortune 500 firms, and state, local and federal government agencies.

LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc. currently operates 32 laboratories throughout the nation with full analytical services, including environmental microbiology (mold, bacteria, Legionella, Coliforms, indoor allergens, mycotoxins, endotoxins), DNA based polymerase chain reaction (PCR), asbestos, lead, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental chemistry, materials, forensic, failure, and mechanical testing. In addition to laboratory services, the firm provides mold management seminars, free IAQ seminars, and free sampling workshops at locations throughout the country.

EMSL Analytical currently holds accreditations with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), including the AIHA Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP), the AIHA Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELLAP), the AIHA Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program (IHLAP), the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), the New York Department of Health (NYDOH), TX DOH, CA E-LAP, and various other state, federal, and private accrediting bodies. The labs are also successful participants in AIHA's Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT), Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT), and the Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing (EMPAT) programs. EMSL maintains a rigorous in-house QA/QC program to ensure our clients are receiving the most accurate and legally defensible results possible.

For further information, contact us at 1-800-755-1794 or for a complete list of offices, accreditations, and capabilities please visit LA Testing's website at www.LATesting.com or EMSL's at www.EMSL.com

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Los Alamitos, CA

BTEX is an acronym for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. They are all volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in petroleum hydrocarbons. Contamination of soil and groundwater from BTEX has occurred at petroleum and natural gas production areas, gas stations and areas with underground and above-ground storage tanks of petroleum products. The compounds are also produced in large scale by industry for industrial use as solvents and for manufacturing materials such as plastics and pesticides.

All four VOCs can cause significant health effects. Benzene is a colorless liquid that readily evaporates into the air or can dissolve in water. Exposure to benzene can cause dizziness, unconsciousness and can lead to anemia and leukemia. Toluene is also a colorless liquid that is found in crude oil and from the gasoline manufacturing process, it is reported to damage the nervous system.

Exposure to ethylbenzene can cause eye and throat irritation and dizziness. Animal studies have shown exposure can cause hearing damage and kidney damage in test animals. High levels of exposure to xylene, for short or long periods, can cause dizziness, confusion, balance problems and headaches. It has also been shown to cause eye and respiratory problems and possible changes to the liver and kidneys.

LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical and a leading environmental testing laboratory, has been offering testing solutions for BTEX and other VOCs to help protect people and the environment. The company provides a complete suite of testing methods including TO-15, NIOSH 1500/1501 and OSHA 07.

'Contamination from BTEX compounds is all too familiar around locations with petroleum products,' reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. 'LA Testing has the technical resources and expertise to help environmental health and safety professionals test for these dangerous compounds,' Sublasky continued.

To learn more about BTEX and other VOC testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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Blanco Altea, Blanco Tabarca and Blanco Tabarca Stripped are the materials that make up this collection, the objective of which is to encourage the use of Natural Stone. Its excellent physical qualities, durability, low porosity and great thermal resistance make this selection one of the best options for facades and floors that are exposed to variable atmospheric conditions.

On one side, the smooth and soft surface of Blanco Altea is presented, which provides any type of construction with quality, while Blancco Tabarca with its rough finish is the most rustic and natural option. Two perfect proposals for use on facades, both toned down as well as ventilated and that permits adaptation to multiple fixing systems. Lastly, Blanco Tabarca Stripped is the most novel proposal with its grated termination thanks to which it becomes a perfect non-slip surface for exterior and interior grounds.

The combination of these materials, such as pavement and covering in any building, ensures the fulfillment of the building requirements that are demanded, thereby ensuring resistance and stability with minimum necessary maintenance. All this is gained without giving up the beauty and uniqueness that Natural Stone provides to any application, thereby making a construction unique and exclusive.

With this new launch, Levantina re-enforces its leadership position in the sector upon increasing its broad array of products that include marble, granite, slate, limestone, quartz and porcelain surfaces.

About Levantina

Levantina is a multinational company with Spanish origins, worldwide leader in the natural stone market with products as marble, slate and granite which reinforce its position in other segments of the latest surfaces as the porcelain slabs. A company which maintains a significant investment in I+R+i to provide innovative solutions in line with the latest market trends.

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"We are committed to enhancing transparency and facilitating investors' understanding of our Company, our businesses and, most importantly, how we plan to continue executing our strategy," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow chairman and chief executive officer. "In this Databook, stockholders will find key drivers of profitability and market success for all of our business units, as well as our approach to innovation, sustainability, joint ventures and geographic reach, and how all these elements will drive earnings growth in the future."

The new Databook is a fundamental go-to source in understanding the growth potential of each of Dow's new operating segments.

For each segment, Dow has provided the following key information:

* Selected pro forma financial information
* Sales by geography and key industries
* Profitability and growth drivers
* Innovation and new product examples
* Major plants, locations, and key competitors by business unit

Investors and other interested parties can download a copy at www.dow.com.

To receive the Databook in print form, via postal mail, please email Dow Literature Services at literatureservices@dow.com with your shipping address. Reference document number 161-00741 in the email.

Or call Dow Investor Relations toll free at 1-800-422-8193 or (989) 636-1463.

About Dow

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 approximately 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. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.4 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. 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.

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The role played by Wacker Metroark Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. in the Group's distribution network is to oversee all sales and marketing activities concerning silicone products on the Indian subcontinent. In recent years, the company has experienced above-average growth exceeding 20 percent a year.
'Wacker Metroark Chemicals is ideally positioned, thanks to its high product quality, excellent service and committed team of experts,' said Dr. Wilhelm Sittenthaler, a member of Wacker Chemie AG's Executive Board, at a ceremony to mark the joint venture's tenth anniversary. Dr. Sittenthaler also said, he sees further growth potential in the years ahead, too. 'Having recently expanded our Mumbai office, which now includes a new technical center, we are well prepared for any future challenges facing the Indian market. Wacker Metroark Chemicals is thus able to offer its customers even more effective local support than before during the development of new products and customized applications.'

Today, Wacker Metroark Chemicals – with offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai as well as in Dhaka (Bangladesh) – operates in the Indian subcontinent's major commercial centers. Key markets are the textile, personal-care, automotive, construction, coatings, plastics, adhesives and packaging sectors. Additionally, the company markets WACKER silicone sealants, silanes and pyrogenic silica in India. The workforce in India has virtually doubled over the last five years. Wacker Metroark Chemicals' current workforce in India numbers over 130 employees.

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Back-ventilated curtain facades extending to the high-rise building limit can now be efficiently thermally insulated with expandable polystyrene (EPS). This innovation became possible thanks to insulation materials made from Neopor®, the EPS from BASF. The Swiss insulation material manufacturer swisspor uses Neopor in its patented facade system swisspor Lambda Vento for back-ventilated curtain facades. The system with insulation panels made from Neopor is approved by the German Institute for Construction Technology, Berlin, and offers considerably better thermal insulation (λR = 0.031 or 0.032 W/m*K) than conventional systems, is impervious to moisture and can be used in the renovation of older buildings and the construction of new ones.

Space-saving, with few heat bridges and easy to assemble

The compact and space-saving structure can be fitted up to the high-rise building limit (22.5 meters) as the fire protection which is prescribed here is guaranteed by fire locks and fire barriers on each story. Compared with conventional back-ventilated curtain facades with mineral wool, the system from swisspor is impervious to moisture and thus dimensionally stable, resistant to ageing and rot-proof. The Neopor insulation panels have a tongue and groove all the way round and, along with the spacer bolts which are placed at regular points and fix the sub-structure, they form a structure which is effectively free of any heat bridges.

The multilayer outer wall structure – consisting of insulation panels, a wooden substructure with air gap, and outer cladding – can be assembled quickly, safely, and easily. The insulation panels, which are approved in thicknesses of up to 200 mm, can be cut and processed by hot wire without any dust or waste. They are secured to the substructure with insulation material holders, and so do not have to be glued. This means that the facade can be completely deconstructed if necessary, the components are therefore reusable or recyclable.

This facade structure provides plenty of design possibilities for individual, aesthetic and at the same time weather-resistant cladding for facades, e.g. eternity facade panels and plaster support plates with different coatings.

In Germany, the system will be presented for the first time at BASF's stand during the dena congress "zukunft haus 2009" ("future house 2009") taking place from November 24 to 25 in Berlin. At present, the Anne Frank day nursery in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is undergoing high-quality refurbishment as part of the dena project 'Efficient homes' (acc. to German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) 2007 for new buildings: -40%). Two facades were designed as a back-ventilated curtain facade using the swisspor Lambda Vento system.

Insulation material for energy-efficient applications

Neopor is an advanced version of the classic white insulation material Styropor®. BASF manufactures the black, expandable beads from polystyrene. Processors foam up the beads and process them into silver-gray blocks and molded parts for various applications, in particular for insulating buildings. Insulation materials made from Neopor are silver-gray because they contain finely distributed graphite particles which act like miniature mirrors reflecting the thermal radiation and thus reducing heat losses. The insulating effect is thus increased by up to 20 percent. This saves heating costs and enhances the value of buildings in an environmentally friendly way.

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The Impacta-Regupol line of recycled, rubber-based floor underlayment products is both innovative and environmentally friendly. These products are designed to reduce impact noise in the floor-ceiling assembly and for use in vibration isolation, under machinery and in construction applications in isolating concrete slabs. For specific product information visit www.impacta-regupol.com

Sound Seal, a pioneer in the advancement of acoustical systems for over 30 years and an industry leader in the acoustics field in innovative product design and manufacturing capabilities, was founded in 1978 by Rich Mulcahy and Barry Lyons with the vision to manufacture a quality product, at a reasonable price with great customer service. Headquartered in Agawam, Massachusetts in a state of the art 50,000 square foot facility, Sound Seal has stayed true to this vision and consists of three product divisions. The Industrial division which deals with in-plant noise control, the Architectural division which handles interiors and the Impacta flooring division which deals with floor underlayments. For more information visit www.soundseal.com

Regupol America LLC, founded in 1954, an American subsidiary of German-based, BSW, is a third generation company is known for production of high-quality recycled rubber specially formulated to control noise and vibration. The company uses over 115M pounds of rubber in the manufacturing process with product distribution in over 100 countries. Regupol America's rubber-based flooring is made of 100% postconsumer tire rubber, post-industrial EPDM rubber and additional renewable resources. For more information visit www.regupol.com

'The Original Regupol Rubber – Accept no Imitation'

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For the past three years Peter Veloz has guided UVDI as Co-Chairman of the Board. In his additional role as President and CEO, Mr. Veloz will oversee the company's strategic growth initiatives. Peter stated, 'I grew up in this industry and I'm passionate about continuing the vision for UVDI established by my father. The Veloz family has been associated with the UV and disinfection industries for over 60 years and I am honored to continue the tradition. I thank our employees, customers and partners for supporting UVDI as we further build upon our strong foundations of people, technology, products and community'

UVDI is a market leader in the application of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) technologies and is also known for its Sparks Technology™ molecular filtration products. UVDI is ISO 9001:2000 certified and conducts research, development and manufacturing at their 50,000 square foot facility in Valencia, California. UVDI's cutting edge technologies not only protect human health and the environment, but also reduce building energy consumption and maintenance costs. To learn more about UVDI please visit www.UVDI.com, email info@UVDI.com or call (877) 787-3882.

About UltraViolet Devices, Inc.
UVDI is a leading manufacturer and supplier of UV products for both air, surface and water disinfection. Under the ALTRU-V® brand, UVDI markets a full line of UV-C products for the HVACR market, providing the key benefits of reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance costs while delivering cleaner, healthier air. Sparks Technology™ advanced filtration brand provides bonded activated carbon and for use in commercial and industrial applications worldwide.

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Los Alamitos, CA

In a landmark case a woman has been granted disability benefits for mold-related injuries. The Social Security Administration judge in the case accepted expert medical testimony that linked physical and cognitive injuries to mold exposures.

In February of 2007 the woman was temporarily sent to the U.S. Virgin Islands by her employer for a work assignment. The employer provided housing to the retail sales manager for her stay on the islands. The woman claimed that exposure to mold in the residence caused her a number of health problems including memory loss, excessive fatigue and a hypersensitivity to various chemicals making her incapable of being able to continue to work.

Medical experts hired by the woman have testified that she suffers mold mycotoxicosis that has resulted in immune toxicity and encephalopathy. The judge in the case ruled in favor of the woman who is now eligible for disability benefits.

LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical and a leading indoor air quality (IAQ) testing laboratory, has been on the forefront of providing testing solutions for property owners and environmental professionals facing IAQ problems. The company provides a complete suite of testing services for mold, bacteria, mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other indoor contaminants.

'This landmark case really brings to light the damaging effects of mold and mycotoxin exposure,' reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. 'With increased awareness of the dangers of mold exposure many of these cases could potentially be averted,' Sublasky continued.

LA Testing has made a series of educational tools available at their website to educate people about the dangers of mold and other indoor air quality contaminants. These tools are available free to the public and environmental and healthcare professionals. To learn more about mold and other indoor air quality testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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Located in the Nanjing Chemical Industrial Park, the new WACKER Nanjing site covers an area of 100,000 square meters. First phase investment of this fully integrated world-class production complex which serves the entire product line from vinyl acetate ethylene dispersions to dispersible powders is over 50 million euros. WACKER already has a staff of nearly 100 employees at its Nanjing facility. Along with WACKER's dryer plant in Burghausen, Germany, the Nanjing plant is the largest of its kind in the world.
WACKER has been producing polymer powders and dispersions for the construction industry for more than 50 years. VINNAPAS® polymer powders are thermoplastic, plasticizer-free polymers derived primarily from vinyl acetate and ethylene. It was in 1957 that WACKER chemists first succeeded in industrially manufacturing the first powder binder as an additive for dry-mortar mixes. Today, WACKER POLYMERS is a global market and technology leader in the field of vinyl acetate-based copolymers and terpolymers.

China's growing demand for VINNAPAS® dispersible polymer powders is chiefly due to the need for dependable, lightweight and energy-efficient building materials. Increasingly, Chinese houses are being lined with exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS). VINNAPAS® is a major component of the specialty mortars used in these systems. The dispersible polymer powder ensures that the individual layers which make up such systems are bonded together permanently.

'A secure and high quality supply of polymer powders is essential for the further development of China's fast growing construction industry and for China's tremendous efforts to save energy', explained Auguste Willems, Member of Wacker Chemie AG's Executive Board. 'This new site will not only provide a reliable supply chain backbone for WACKER POLYMERS in China over the next years with an increasingly competitive cost position and flexibility to better meet the local market demands. It will also enable us to provide our customers with first-class locally manufactured products and solutions, helping them to address the needs of their respective customers even better than in the past', Willems said.

In addition to EIFS, the dispersible polymer powders can be used in diverse building applications such as tile adhesives, self-leveling flooring compounds, plasters, repair mortars, water-proofing cementitious sealing slurries. They enhance important properties in the end product, such as adhesion, cohesion, flexibility and flexural strength. Water retention, processing properties and weatherability also benefit from VINNAPAS®. In China, from the Disney Land in Hong Kong to Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou, from the National Stadium in Beijing to Yincheng Dong Yuan Residential building in Nanjing, VINNAPAS® dispersible polymer powders are widely used in modern architectures.

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Currently under construction and due to open toward the end of the year, the eagerly awaited addition to this busy hospital which has been serving the community for over 30 years, includes 90 new private patient rooms and the conversion of all existing semi-private rooms to private, resulting in Doctors Community Hospital being an all private room facility.

Renowned for simplicity, durability and refined aesthetics, Vistamatic vision panels consist of three sheets of glass set within an insulated unit, which are operated using Vistamatic's propriety lever mechanism. When the lever is turned, the inner sheet of glass rise to enable observation and, by turning the handle back, vision is obscured. All panels are fire rated with UL10B and C 45 & 20 minute rating.

Vistamatic CEO, Kevin Roth, said: 'Since Vistamatic launched in the US four years ago, we have grown at a rapid pace. Thanks to support from renowned and well established hospitals, like Doctors Community that recognize the quality and versatility of our products, we are now supplying our state of the art vision panels across the US.'

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The deal will bring key technological know-how and significant synergy potential to AkzoNobel's Powder Coatings business, as well as enhancing the company's position in the US.

The powder coatings activities were purchased by Dow earlier this year as part of its acquisition of Rohm & Haas. This business achieves global sales of several hundred million dollars and employs around 700 people.

'This is a strategic acquisition which will enable us to further penetrate key industrial coatings segments,' explained Leif Darner, the AkzoNobel Board member responsible for Performance Coatings. 'By adding new powder technologies to our extensive portfolio we will be even better equipped to lead the way in meeting the increasing demand for innovative products with strong environmental profiles.'

Operating powder coatings factories in the US, Europe and China, Rohm & Haas developed several important new technologies – especially for the automotive and architectural segments – while the deal will also add MDF and thermoplastic capabilities to AkzoNobel's existing expertise.

'Our intention is to move towards a more dedicated approach, whereby sites concentrate on specific technologies,' added Rob Molenaar, Managing Director of AkzoNobel Powder Coatings. 'These planned manufacturing enhancements and synergies will deliver improved operational efficiency and ultimately enable us to better serve our customers worldwide.'

Powder coatings offer an attractive alternative to liquid coatings due to the fact that they are inherently sustainable because they contain no solvents and have application efficiency levels as high as 99 percent.
The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2010, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Consultations with employee representatives will be held as and when appropriate.

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T-Systems has developed a solution for the automatic identification and location of steel transports for ThyssenKrupp. The contactless identification and recording technology safeguards logistics from ThyssenKrupp's new plant in Brazil and is based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). One of the aims is to significantly reduce handling times in the port. In addition, staff safety is enhanced as RFID means that greater distances can be kept when loading the steel. The identification technology also makes logistical processes more transparent overall and enables them to be controlled better.

At a labeling station, employees stick RFID tags on an average of around 20 tonnes of steel ingots before these so-called slabs are shipped to Europe and North America. The small mini computers, which are fitted with transmitters, carry an identification number (ID) that clearly identifies each steel block. Reading devices can then scan the ID numbers without contact as often as necessary on their way from Brazil to the steel mills for further processing.

As the ID numbers no longer need to be read by hand, the crane drivers in the destination ports know immediately which recipient the slabs are going to and where on the quay they need to be placed. This pre-sorting cuts the loading times to date significantly. The use of RFID also increases the safety of port workers as the ID numbers on the steel slabs can now be read automatically. This means that they do not need to be in the dangerous swing range of the cranes as much.

The entire RFID data traffic from Brazil, the United States, the Netherlands and Germany is routed via one of T-Systems' data centers in Frankfurt. The central platform then maps the entire transport route for each individual slab - from the steel works via the loading port on to further processing. Registered users can access the platform provided by T-Systems for so-called AutoID/Right Time Enterprise Services via Internet. In addition, the solution informs specified employees of the steel group if, for example, steel slabs are loaded wrongly or transport times are exceeded. T-Systems can control all RFID reading points worldwide remotely from Frankfurt and intervene in the event of faults.

The plant in Sepetiba Bay in the state of Rio de Janeiro will produce around five million tonnes of steel. Overall, this means that some 250,000 steel blocks will be on the move each year, around 100,000 of which en route to Germany. When the ThyssenKrupp port starts operating, 120 ships will be able to dock and cast off there each year. From South America, the steel will be transported to Alabama, United States, or via Rotterdam to Duisburg and Bochum.

About T-Systems
Drawing on a global infrastructure of data centers and networks, T-Systems operates information and communication technology (ICT) systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions. On this basis, Deutsche Telekom's corporate customer arm provides integrated solutions for the networked future of business and society. Some 46,000 employees combine industry expertise and ICT innovations to add significant value to customers' core business all over the world. T-Systems generated revenue of around EUR 11 billion in the 2008 financial year.

About ThyssenKrupp
ThyssenKrupp is an integrated materials and technology group offering solutions for sustainable progress worldwide. Eight business areas focus the Group's activities and know-how in the strategic competency areas of Materials and Technologies. Around 200,000 (as at Sep. 30, 2008) committed and skilled employees meet the challenges of the markets: high-performance materials and plants, components and systems form forward-looking capabilities for customers in over 80 countries.

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Pasadena, CA

An extended epidemiological analysis was recently released by the nonprofit Health Effects Institute. The analysis was conducted by scientists at the University of Ottawa for the institute which was created by the Environmental Protection Agency and the industries it regulates to create unbiased studies.

The scientists reviewed existing studies with links between soot particles and premature deaths related to cardiovascular diseases. The findings showed that the mortality rate for those people exposed to the tiny soot particles was double the rate previously believed.

The analysis covered 116 American cities and compiled data from 500,000 people. Some areas with the highest soot levels included the eastern suburbs of Los Angeles and California's Central Valley. A review of the data found that the risks of having conditions that are a precursor to fatal heart attacks for people in areas with high levels of soot increases by 24% as particle concentrations increase.

Soot is a general term that refers to impure carbon particles that result from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. It is produced by a number of sources including coal fired power plants, oil refineries, diesel engines, waste incinerators, forest fires and furnaces to name a few sources.

LA Testing, an affiliate of EMSL Analytical, is a leading provider of soot, carbon black and combustible by-product laboratory analysis. 'The number of Americans that live in urban areas or near industrial areas with elevated soot levels is enormous,' reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. 'LA Testing provides expert analysis for soot to ensure those most at risk in our society can have the air they breathe tested to ensure they are not subjecting themselves to unnecessary risks,' Sublasky concluded.

To learn more about soot and other environmental testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 303-0047.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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Recruitment activity for jobs that require energy and sustainability expertise has remained steady across the public and private sectors, with employers particularly keen to attract individuals with a track record in implementing policies to reduce the carbon footprint and emissions of buildings.

Meeting efficiency targets is high on the agenda of most organisations and if a candidate can demonstrate experience in this field, this is a definite advantage and will improve the chances of being shortlisted.

"We have noticed that there are a range of permanent, temporary and interim opportunities for those individuals with energy efficiency experience. The types of role that employers are looking for include energy managers and facilities managers," commented Mike McNally, Business Director at Hays Building Services.

Experience of Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and Advisory Reports is a fundamental requirement. "The requirement for DECs only came into effect towards the end of 2008 and these need to be renewed every 12 months, therefore local authorities and institutions need specialists in this field to ensure that targets are being met and that they conform to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)," continued McNally.

The equivalent for commercial and private buildings is Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Low Carbon Consultants advise on the design and operation of commercial buildings to meet the highest energy efficiency standards complying with Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPB) and can subsequently qualify and attain the Low Carbon Energy Assessor (LCEA) grade.

These skills and qualifications can be easily transferred from the private to the public sector, which increases an individual's employability and can make a significant difference to those looking for building services jobs, particularly during the current downturn. "Achieving LCC status not only means that individuals can command better salaries but these specialists can make a real difference to consultancies and bring in much-needed project work," added McNally.

The competitive recruitment market means that jobseekers with senior strategic project management skills and evidence of cost savings on projects will clearly hold the upper hand. Delivering cost effective solutions and adding value are very much the order of the day. "It is imperative that individuals spend sufficient time on their CVs and quantify their achievements, carefully detailing all the projects they've worked on and the impact this has had on the bottom line. Prior experience of the implementation of energy saving technology should always be included when applying for building services jobs," explained McNally.

Chartership, qualifications and a solid Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record are all important considerations. "Individuals need to focus on career development and networking is a major part of this. Organizations such as the CIBSE, HVCA and the ECA hold numerous monthly meetings across the UK and are free to attend," concluded McNally.

-ends-

Note to editors:

About Hays Building Services:
Hays Building Services is part of Hays plc, the leading global specialist recruiting group, offering a range of building services roles from maintenance to mechanical engineering jobs. It is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe. It operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments.

The Group employs 6,933 staff operating from 345 offices in 28 countries across 17 specialisms.

For the year ended 30 June 2009:
-The Group had revenues of £2.4 billion, net fees of £670.8 million and operating profit of £158 million.
- The Group placed around 50,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 270,000 people into temporary assignments
- The temporary placement business represented 56% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 44% of net fees.

For further press information please contact:
Alexandra Tucker
Hays
2nd Floor
Stockley House
130 Wilton Road
London
SW1V 1LQ
020 7630 4282
www.hays.com

— WebWireID107618 —

Worldwide carbon monoxide demand is estimated to be growing at about +4% per year. In the petrochemical industry, carbon monoxide is mainly used in the production of acetic acid and polyurethane intermediates.

Air Liquide has just commissioned the world's largest carbon monoxide unit, handing it over to the customer, Saudi International Petrochemicals Company (Sipchem). This new carbon monoxide unit is located on the industrial complex of Jubail City, in eastern Saudi Arabia, near the Arabic Gulf. This project was awarded in 2006 to Air Liquide and Lurgi.

The carbon monoxide unit designed and built by the Engineering and Construction teams of Air Liquide, will have a production capacity of 335,000 tonnes per year. The production of carbon monoxide calls upon the combination of very high temperature technologies (+ 1200°C) as well as very low cryogenic temperature (-190°C). Those two processes are mastered by the Group and will be integrated in this very large unit.

The carbon monoxide produced in the unit will primarily serve as feedstock for the production of acetic acid used for the production of Polyvinyl Acetate, which has applications in water-based paints, adhesives and in the processing of paper and textiles.

François Darchis, Senior Vice-President Air Liquide Group, in charge of R&D, Advanced Technologies and Engineering & Construction, commented: 'Building the world's largest carbon monoxide unit is a challenge that we were delighted to take on and we thank Sipchem for their trust. Air Liquide teams are constantly improving technological solutions in order to increase the efficiency and reliability of our units to meet the needs of our customers.
We are particularly proud of this success at Jubail, a major industrial complex. This project reinforces our presence in Saudi Arabia and once again demonstrates the potential that lies in emerging economies, one of the Group's growth drivers.'

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Kansas City, November 11, 2009 – AES Wind today installed and commissioned its first demonstration 'AES WindJet 5' Vertical Axis Twin-Rotor Wind Turbine in North America at the corporate office of A.L. Huber, the premier construction contractor in the Greater Kansas City area based in Overland Park, KS.
'We are very grateful to A.L. Huber and Burns & McDonnell for their support in erecting and operating this demonstration unit and we look forward to building a partnership with them to deliver clean and efficient wind power throughout the region' said Bill Prevost, President of AES Wind.
As leaders in the construction, engineering and technology fields, the team has come together to design, build and demonstrate new small wind turbine technologies to the Kansas City community. An on-site 'demonstration' area will be open to the public where visitors will be educated on the technology and also view a real-time turbine performance and energy generation display panel.
The new wind turbine is rated at 5kW and has several innovative features, which increase efficiency by up to 54% over existing designs. It also has a simplified mechanical structure which improves efficiency and enhances stability. Because its rotor speed is slower than traditional designs, it is quieter, lasts longer and is far less likely to create problems for birds and people.
The new turbine was designed by AeroNet, a partner company of AES Wind, with headquarters in Seoul, Korea and is the first of a family of AES WindJet Small Wind Turbines to be installed in North America with power ratings between 1.5kW and 100kW.
'We are delighted to be able to demonstrate the energy generating efficiency of this patent-protected breakthrough design' stated Dr. Tom Sabourin, CEO of AES Wind, 'and we are especially pleased to have the designer, Dr. Seungbae Lee, CEO of AeroNet with us to celebrate today' he added.

======================================================
About AES Wind:
Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, AES Wind was formed in May 2009 and is leading the small wind turbine technology revolution for light industrial, agricultural, commercial, municipal, community and residential use. The company's AES WindJet family of state-of-the-art wind turbines is superior to traditional wind turbines. Global partnerships allow AES Wind to deliver innovative, leading-edge designs, while maintaining a strong and passionate commitment to the delivery of renewable energy to its customers. www.aeswind.com

About AeroNet:
AeroNet, a partner company of AES Wind is a South Korea corporation, which was founded in November of 2001 in Seoul and contributes world-class engineering though Dr. Seungbae Lee, Founder and CEO and his team.

About A.L. Huber:
For over a century in Kansas City, A.L. Huber has been delivering high-quality construction services to a variety of clients. A.L. Huber formed the REDI (Renewable Energy Distribution Initiative) project to provide demonstration and education on distributed power generation.
For more information: www.alhuber.com

About Burns & McDonnell
Burns & McDonnell provides engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting services to clients throughout North America and abroad. More than 3,000 engineers, architects, scientists, planners, estimators, economists, technicians and other professionals work in 20 offices located throughout the U.S. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100 percent employee-owned. For more information: Roger Dick rdick@burnsmcd.com.

— WebWireID107576 —

Westmont, NJ

As the economy shows signs that the country is over the worst of the recession with a 3.5% third quarter growth in GPD, the number of homes going into foreclosure continues to climb. Even with all the government sponsored efforts to prevent foreclosures the past three months have likely seen the highest number of foreclosures in the country's history.

According to one recent report by RealtyTrac® one in every 136 homes in the U.S. are now in foreclosure, which is 23% increase over the same period last year. The market is now flooded with these properties and many first time homebuyers and real estate investors are looking to buy these discounted properties.

Real estate foreclosures come in all types of conditions from move-in ready to completely run down, vandalized and neglected properties. Many of these same properties are being sold by the banks 'as is' so buyers need to be aware of potential problems with such issues such as mold contamination, lead paint and asbestos.

Properly conducted home inspections should identify many of these issues, but a number of buyers forgo this important step which can lead to costly environmental issues later. EMSL Analytical, one of the nation's largest environmental testing laboratories, provides affordable testing solutions for prospective buyers and property inspectors.

'Up to 24 million homes in the U.S. contain substantial lead paint hazards according to the CDC and the EPA recently announced new guidance for properties constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978 because of concerns with PCBs in caulking material,' reported Joe Frasca, Executive Vice President for EMSL Analytical. 'Millions more likely have issues with mold and asbestos so it is imperative to have a property inspected and tested to protect the buyer's interests,' Frasca continued.

To learn more about environmental testing or other testing needs please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of indoor air quality, environmental, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

— WebWireID107209 —