First Ever 'CE' Mark for Plastic Pipe Given to Systems Made with DOWLEX PE-RT

First Ever "CE" Mark for Plastic Pipe Given to Systems Made with DOWLEX PE-RT

Horgen, Switzerland - March 15, 2005

– Underfloor heating pipe and radiator connection system made with DOWLEX 2344 secures European Technical Approval
– Common Understanding of Assessment Procedures (CUAP) for PE-RT plastic pipe systems opens up business opportunities for manufacturers throughout Europe

Underfloor heating systems and radiator connections made from DOWLEX* 2344 PE-RT type I plastic pipes have been awarded a European Technical Approval - signified by the "CE" mark quality standard. This is the first time any pipe system has been awarded an ETA.

The approval makes business easier for manufacturers and fabricators designing and making pipe systems using the high-performance DOWLEX 2344 resin. These systems can now be cleared for use throughout the 28-member European Economic Area in one approval process.

It brings clear cost and time savings to manufacturers who previously may have had to seek approval from authorities in each country. This complicated process, which still applies for systems made from other plastic materials, can be a sizeable burden for businesses.

Detlef Schramm, Dow's plastic pipe senior development specialist for Europe, said: "Achieving the European Technical Approval is a real boost for pipe manufacturers who can now obtain the necessary clearances in one go. The CE mark will make it easier for them to bring new pipe systems to market throughout the European Economic Area. By making the manufacture of new systems even more cost-effective, PE-RT pipes will continue to grow in popularity throughout Europe."

Business benefit for manufacturers
The Dutch Kiwa Testing and Certification Institute delivered its assessment on 14 March 2005 on behalf of the European Organisation for Technical Approvals - composed of European national approval bodies.

A European Technical Approval is a technical assessment of a product's fitness for its intended use. It is granted after PE-RT type I pipe systems have been judged against the criteria outlined in the Common Understanding of Assessment Procedure (CUAP).

PE-RT type I systems are tested against the following criteria:

Safety in the event of fire
Internal and external pressure strengths
Appropriateness of raw materials
Tightness of joints
Oxygen permeability of the system.

An ETA issued to a manufacturer stays in force for a period of five years, and can then be extended.

Marco Mekes, Kiwa's Certification Engineer, said: "We have evaluated and tested PE-RT piping systems for various customers for both Kiwa and KOMO certification - ISO 10508 Classes 4 and 5. Kiwa, as an EOTA approval body, has issued the first ETA for PE-RT type I heating systems."

DOWLEX PE-RT resins already have an outstanding track record for delivering excellent performance and processability in hot and cold water pipe applications.

DOWLEX PE-RT resins also deliver cost and processing advantages by avoiding the need for cross-linking. Pipe systems made from PE-RT typically have excellent thermal stability and long-term hydrostatic strength, and their improved flexibility makes the pipes easier to bend and form into systems for fitting in restricted spaces.

Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

For more information about Dow and its activities in the pipe market, please visit www.plasticpipes.com.

For Editorial Information:

Rena De Zanet
Dow Europe GmbH
+41-44-728-2564

Anthony Singer
Porter Novelli
+32 2 413 0340

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This is the first time any pipe system has been awarded an ETA. The approval makes business easier for manufacturers and fabricators designing and making pipe systems using the high-performance DOWLEX 2344 resin. These systems can now be cleared for use throughout the 28-member European Economic Area in one approval process. It brings clear cost and time savings to manufacturers who previously may have had to seek approval from authorities in each country. This complicated process, which still applies for systems made from other plastic materials, can be a sizeable burden for businesses. Detlef Schramm, Dow's plastic pipe senior development specialist for Europe, said: "Achieving the European Technical Approval is a real boost for pipe manufacturers who can now obtain the necessary clearances in one go. The CE mark will make it easier for them to bring new pipe systems to market throughout the European Economic Area. By making the manufacture of new systems even more cost-effective, PE-RT pipes will continue to grow in popularity throughout Europe." Business benefit for manufacturers The Dutch Kiwa Testing and Certification Institute delivered its assessment on 14 March 2005 on behalf of the European Organisation for Technical Approvals - composed of European national approval bodies. A European Technical Approval is a technical assessment of a product's fitness for its intended use. It is granted after PE-RT type I pipe systems have been judged against the criteria outlined in the Common Understanding of Assessment Procedure (CUAP). PE-RT type I systems are tested against the following criteria: Safety in the event of fire Internal and external pressure strengths Appropriateness of raw materials Tightness of joints Oxygen permeability of the system. An ETA issued to a manufacturer stays in force for a period of five years, and can then be extended. Marco Mekes, Kiwa's Certification Engineer, said: "We have evaluated and tested PE-RT piping systems for various customers for both Kiwa and KOMO certification - ISO 10508 Classes 4 and 5. Kiwa, as an EOTA approval body, has issued the first ETA for PE-RT type I heating systems." DOWLEX PE-RT resins already have an outstanding track record for delivering excellent performance and processability in hot and cold water pipe applications. DOWLEX PE-RT resins also deliver cost and processing advantages by avoiding the need for cross-linking. Pipe systems made from PE-RT typically have excellent thermal stability and long-term hydrostatic strength, and their improved flexibility makes the pipes easier to bend and form into systems for fitting in restricted spaces. Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. For more information about Dow and its activities in the pipe market, please visit www.plasticpipes.com. For Editorial Information: Rena De Zanet Dow Europe GmbH +41-44-728-2564 Anthony Singer Porter Novelli +32 2 413 0340
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