Dow Chemical Confirms Rohm and Haas Acquisition Will Not Close On or Before January 27, 2009

The Dow Chemical Company confirms it has informed Rohm and Haas that Dow will not close the proposed acquisition on or before January 27, 2009.

Dow has determined that recent material developments have created unacceptable uncertainties on the funding and economics of the combined enterprise.  This assessment is based on several macro-economic factors such as the continued crisis in global financial and credit markets combined with the dramatic and stunning failure of Petrochemicals Industries Company of Kuwait (PIC) to fulfill its obligation to complete the formation of the K-Dow joint venture in late December 2008.

 “Our long term strategy remains unchanged and the proposed acquisition of Rohm and Haas is consistent with this strategy,” said Andrew N. Liveris, chairman and CEO.  Since Dow learned in late December of PIC’s failure to close the K-Dow transaction, Dow has been aggressively engaged on multiple paths seeking ways to enable the Rohm and Haas transaction. Dow remains interested in discussions to find a solution to complete the acquisition of Rohm and Haas, but recent events have made closing untenable at this time.

“Dow Chemical has a long history of resiliency in responding to changing market conditions, and that resiliency continues,” said Mr. Liveris, “but the world has changed significantly and we still do not see the bottom of this unprecedented demand destruction which only accelerated through the fourth quarter and brought December operating rates to historic lows. The Company’s commitment to remain financially strong is part of the DNA of this 112-year old company.” 

Dow previously announced a series of wide-ranging actions to address global economic conditions and is accelerating those actions based on continued deteriorating demand. “We are well-prepared to take the appropriate steps to ensure we retain our options and financial flexibility to see our way through what we anticipate will be an extremely challenging year,” said Mr. Liveris.