MIDLAND, Mich. -The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) was named to the Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovators list for the second, consecutive year in recognition of the Company's R&D and patent leadership. The list recognizes the most innovative companies in the world, selected using a proprietary series of patent-focused metrics.

The Thomson Reuters 2012 Top 100 Global Innovator methodology is based on four principle criteria: patent approval success rate, global reach of patent portfolio, patent influence in literature citations and overall patent volume. The peer-reviewed methodology was executed using different products and tools, including Thomson Reuters Derwent World Patents Index® (DWPI) – which assesses information from 47 different patent authorities around the world. Comparative financial analysis was also used to base the study.

'This distinction has affirmed yet again the unique role that our technology and science-based solutions play in addressing the evolving challenges and everyday needs of our planet,' said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 'The power of our innovation portfolio translates directly into success for our company, our customers, and for society as a whole.'

Dr. William F. Banholzer, Chief Technology Officer, New Business Development and Executive Vice President said, 'It is great to be recognized again as a Top 100 Innovator. This recognition is unique because it underlines the impact and breadth of our R&D efforts. We pride ourselves on being a business-driven, productive R&D organization and that is what being a Top 100 Global Innovator recognizes.' Banholzer said, 'More than ever, our innovations are targeted to high-return businesses and markets with the clear ability to deliver near-term earnings. Dow's pipeline is focused on commercialization, with a risk-adjusted net present value of $13 billion.'

Dow's unmatched global expertise is driven by local knowledge and resources. The Company remains committed to developing solutions that improve people's lives – fueling this commitment through industry-leading R&D capabilities, a vast and integrated portfolio of solutions, broad geographic reach, and an organizational mindset of collaborative innovation. Dow has more than 5,000 products that are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe.

'All of the 2012 recipients instill a culture of innovation within their organizations and invest in R&D to keep the inventive process alive,' said David Brown, managing director, Thomson Reuters IP Solutions. 'These are companies that are are widely recognized as having founding technology and paving the way for our future.'

As a group, winners of the Thomson Reuters' Top 100 Global Innovators outperformed the S&P 500 by 3 percent in their market cap weighted revenue (15 percent versus 12 percent). Additionally, the publicly-traded Top 100 Global Innovator organizations had a 15 percent increase in cumulative stock value between the end of 2011 to mid-October 2012. To view the full report, visit http://www.top100innovators.com/.

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.