Vancouver 2010 Winter Games – Media Resources

Insulation Products from Dow Enhance the "Green" Profile of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Calgary, AB – February 3, 2010

While "white" might be a hue most readily associated with a Canadian winter, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will feature a hefty dose of "green," as well. Thanks to the environmentally friendly design and construction materials used to erect sporting venues and athletes' accommodations, the 2010 Winter Games will stand apart as a hallmark of sustainability and eco-consciousness.

Dow Chemical Canada ULC, as the Official Supplier of Insulation Materials to the 2010 Winter Games, has played a significant part in making the 2010-related structures impervious to air leaks and moisture, able to maintain uniform temperatures where needed, and resistant to frost damage – overall, increasing their energy efficiency and performance. "We were excited to take on the 2010 challenge," said Torsten Kraef, business group vice president at Dow Building and Construction. "It has been extremely gratifying to extend Dow's commitment to sustainability to an event that draws the attention of the whole world and can influence how we think of environmentally sound building."

STYROFOAM™ Brand Insulation materials that Dow Canada provided came in the form of extruded polystyrene foam sheets (installed under garden rooftops and ice rinks for ideal ice performance), or STYROFOAM™ Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation^† (installed on the exterior of the track for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competition). ENERFOAM™ Professional Foam Sealant^†† and FROTH-PAK™ Foam Sealant kits^††† were also sprayed to air seal many buildings. Each product was selected to address a very specific need that would directly or indirectly optimize the athletic environment, enhance spectator comfort, improve building performance and longevity, and save energy and maintenance costs now and long after the 2010 Winter Games are complete.

"Energy consumption at the 2010 Winter Games can be significant," said Mike McGaugh, general manager of Dow Building Solutions North America, "Consider how much energy is needed, for example, to keep the ice cold, and the spectators warm at the same indoor venue. The right insulation materials not only optimize how the energy is distributed, but also prevent waste – and curb the usage and maintenance costs of the building for years to come."

The Olympic venues where Dow's insulating and air sealing products were applied include:

• The Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre
• The Richmond Olympic Oval
• The Olympic Village Vancouver
• The UBC Thunderbird Arena
• The Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Centre
• The Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Park
• The Whistler Sliding Centre
• The Killarney Centre

In November 2009, The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games recognized Dow's contributions to making the Olympic Winter Games' environment more energy efficient by awarding Dow Canada a "Sustainability Star."

About Dow Canada

Dow Chemical Canada ULC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, employs approximately 1,000 people in Canada. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Dow Canada and its affiliates have manufacturing locations in: Sarnia and Toronto, Ontario; Fort Saskatchewan and Prentiss, Alberta; and Varennes, Quebec. For more information about Dow Canada, please visit our web site at www.dowcanada.com

About Dow

Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" 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 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 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.

 

For Editorial Information:

Jan McKinnon
The Dow Chemical Company
1-519-541-0336

Marissa Peterson
Gibbs & Soell Public Relations
1-212-697-2600
mpeterson@gibbs-soell.com