The Dow Chemical Company : Preferred Sands Launches New Proprietary Technology for Hydraulic Fracturing Proppants

Preferred Sands, one of North America's largest hydraulic fracturing sand and proppant manufacturers, today announced the launch of the first non-phenolic, resin-coating technology for proppants used in hydraulic fracturing. The proprietary technology, developed in conjunction with The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), will expand the Preferred RCS product line by offering a high-performing non-phenolic product that is cleaner and more environmentally sensitive compared to traditional phenolic-based resins. It is the first product to be launched through a new strategic collaboration between Preferred Sands and Dow.

"Marking the first successful effort of our strategic collaboration with Dow, this technology provides a safe, high performing option for the oil and gas industry," said Michael O'Neill, founder and CEO of Preferred Sands. "We're delighted to be working with such a well-respected and technologically-forward looking company, which is committed to developing solutions that address industry challenges in a sustainable way. Our shared values of safety and community responsibility position this new collaboration well for ongoing success."

The resin, which has the potential to substantially change the proppant mix used throughout the U.S., enables the new Preferred RCS product line to meet three key critical needs of the oil and gas industry. Not only does it perform well under a range of conditions and depths, but is also cost-effective and contributes to the sustainability of the drilling process. As part of its expanded portfolio, Preferred Sands offers two products, RCS Garnet and RCS Pearl, each suited to different well conditions. RCS Garnet was designed specifically for flowback control in low temperatures with a built-in activator that does not require an additional chemical treatment, and it produces measurably better bond strength while still delivering better conductivity. RCS Pearl delivers measurably better bond strength and flowback protection in hotter and deeper wells. In addition, Preferred Sands expects to introduce two new products later this year.

This innovative coating process allows for coated sand to be produced using less energy while minimizing environmental impact compared to phenolic resins. This new technology also provides the industry with an outstanding performance-to-cost value, enabling users to substantially improve operations while still curtailing expenses.

"This industry-changing technology is just one example of Dow's commitment to providing innovative solutions to its customers," said Robert Frye, Dow Strategic Marketing Manager. "The new non-phenolic resin is the result of a commitment to collaborate and a mutual dedication to help solve industry challenges, offering multiple benefits to Preferred Sands' customers, as well as helping address energy needs in the United States."

For more information about Preferred Sands' RCS product line, please visit www.preferredsands.com

About Preferred Sands

Preferred Sands, LLC., headquartered in Radnor, PA, is one of North America's largest manufacturers and providers of frac sand for oil and natural gas companies in the hydraulic fracturing industry. Launched in 2007 Preferred Sands is the market's only commercial manufacturer with an available green technology in resin-coated sand. With this innovative product development and reclamation projects, the company is not only committed to the protection of the environment but also the health and safety of the communities it serves. With strategic plant locations in Arizona, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Canada, the company has core competencies in logistic transportation. Preferred Sands, LLC. has been named one of Pennsylvania's "Best Places to Work."CEO, Michael O'Neill, has been named Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year® in Energy, Cleantech and Natural Resources (2012) and SmartCEO Magazine's CEO of the Year (2012).

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 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 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.