Edgar Filing: DOW CHEMICAL CO /DE/

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended MARCH 31, 2007

Commission File Number: 1-3433

THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		38-1285128
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

2030 DOW CENTER, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN 48674

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

989-636-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.	x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes x No

Class		Outstanding at March 31, 2007
Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share		953,240,999 shares

The Dow Chemical Company

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

			PAGE
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

	Item 1.	Financial Statements.	3

		Consolidated Statements of Income	3

		Consolidated Balance Sheets	4

		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5

		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	6

		Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	7

	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	22

		Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Information	22

		Results of Operations	22

		Changes in Financial Condition	28

		Other Matters	29

	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	33

	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	34

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.	35

	Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	35

	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	35

	Item 6.	Exhibits.	35

SIGNATURE			37

EXHIBIT INDEX			38

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
In millions, except per share amounts (Unaudited)	2007		2006
Net Sales	$	12,432	$	12,020
Cost of sales	10,605		9,803
Research and development expenses	302		278
Selling, general and administrative expenses	418		388
Amortization of intangibles	11		12
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	274		168
Sundry income — net	69		30
Interest income	40		42
Interest expense and amortization of debt discount	146		156
Income before Income Taxes and Minority Interests	1,333		1,623
Provision for income taxes	335		384
Minority interests’ share in income	25		25
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders	$	973	$	1,214
Share Data
Earnings per common share — basic	$	1.01	$	1.25
Earnings per common share — diluted	$	1.00	$	1.24
Common stock dividends declared per share of common stock	$	0.375	$	0.375
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — basic	963.2		967.9
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — diluted	975.9		980.7
Depreciation	$	466	$	455
Capital Expenditures	$	330	$	291

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

	March 31,			Dec. 31,
In millions (Unaudited)	2007			2006
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,377		$	2,757
Marketable securities and interest-bearing deposits	188			153
Accounts and notes receivable:
Trade (net of allowance for doubtful receivables — 2007: $117; 2006: $122)	5,668			4,988
Other	3,107			3,060
Inventories	6,106			6,058
Deferred income tax assets — current	378			193
Total current assets	17,824			17,209
Investments
Investment in nonconsolidated affiliates	2,800			2,735
Other investments	2,154			2,143
Noncurrent receivables	265			288
Total investments	5,219			5,166
Property
Property	44,818			44,381
Less accumulated depreciation	31,174			30,659
Net property	13,644			13,722
Other Assets
Goodwill	3,250			3,242
Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization — 2007: $644; 2006: $620)	457			457
Deferred income tax assets — noncurrent	3,779			4,006
Asbestos-related insurance receivables — noncurrent	725			725
Deferred charges and other assets	1,132			1,054
Total other assets	9,343			9,484
Total Assets	$	46,030		$	45,581

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Notes payable	$	307		$	219
Long-term debt due within one year	1,367			1,291
Accounts payable:
Trade	3,701			3,825
Other	1,701			1,849
Income taxes payable	1,030			569
Deferred income tax liabilities — current	234			251
Dividends payable	361			382
Accrued and other current liabilities	2,204			2,215
Total current liabilities	10,905			10,601
Long-Term Debt	7,975			8,036
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Deferred income tax liabilities — noncurrent	1,000			999
Pension and other postretirement benefits — noncurrent	3,100			3,094
Asbestos-related liabilities — noncurrent	1,063			1,079
Other noncurrent obligations	3,284			3,342
Total other noncurrent liabilities	8,447			8,514
Minority Interest in Subsidiaries	378			365
Preferred Securities of Subsidiaries	1,000			1,000
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock	2,453			2,453
Additional paid-in capital	859			830
Retained earnings (includes cumulative effect of adopting FIN No. 48 of $(290))	17,306			16,987
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,088		)	(2,235		)
Treasury stock at cost	(1,205		)	(970		)
Net stockholders’ equity	17,325			17,065
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	46,030		$	45,581

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			March 31,
In millions (Unaudited)	2007			2006
Operating Activities
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders	$	973		$	1,214
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	508			494
Provision (credit) for deferred income tax	(43		)	95
Earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates less than (in excess of) dividends received	(44		)	167
Minority interests’ share in income	25			25
Pension contributions	(52		)	(57		)
Net gain on sales of investments	(26		)	(7		)
Net gain on sales of property and businesses	(30		)	(3		)
Other net gain	(34		)	(23		)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	(9		)	(5		)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	(662		)	287
Inventories	(48		)	(662		)
Accounts payable	(273		)	(689		)
Other assets and liabilities	251			(137		)
Cash provided by operating activities	536			699
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(330		)	(291		)
Proceeds from sales of property and businesses	35			6
Purchase of previously leased assets	(1		)	(100		)
Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates	(1		)	(13		)
Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates	3			4
Proceeds from sale of nonconsolidated affiliate	30			—
Purchases of investments	(367		)	(222		)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments	341			172
Cash used in investing activities	(290		)	(444		)
Financing Activities
Changes in short-term notes payable	42			28
Payments on long-term debt	(1		)	(84		)
Purchases of treasury stock	(420		)	(313		)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	132			36
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	9			5
Distributions to minority interests	(22		)	(22		)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(359		)	(324		)
Cash used in financing activities	(619		)	(674		)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	(7		)	2
Summary
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(380		)	(417		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,757			3,806
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,377		$	3,389

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			March 31,
In millions (Unaudited)	2007			2006
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders	$	973		$	1,214
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Net unrealized losses on investments	(7		)	(4		)
Translation adjustments	74			107
Minimum pension liability adjustments	—			(2		)
Adjustments to pension and other postretirement benefit plans	38			—
Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedging derivative instruments	42			(33		)
Total other comprehensive income	147			68
Comprehensive Income	$	1,120		$	1,282

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE A — CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries (“Dow” or the “Company”) were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) which, in the opinion of management, are considered necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation.

NOTE B — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN No. 48 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48. The cumulative effect of adoption was a $290 million reduction of retained earnings. At January 1, 2007, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $865 million, of which $704 million would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized.

Interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions are recognized as components of the “Provision for income taxes.” The Company’s accrual for interest and penalties was $123 million upon adoption of FIN No. 48.

The tax years 1998-2003 are currently under audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and the review of these years is expected to be completed during 2007. It is reasonably possible that a reduction in the unrecognized tax benefits may occur; however, quantification of an estimated range cannot be made at this time.

The tax years that remain subject to examination for the Company’s major tax jurisdictions are shown below:

Tax Years Subject to Examination for Major Tax Jurisdictions at January 1, 2007
1998 – 2006		United States — federal income tax
2001 – 2006		Argentina
		Brazil
2002 – 2006		Germany
		Italy
		United States — state and local income tax
2003 – 2006		Spain
2004 – 2006		Canada
		France
		Switzerland
2005 – 2006		United Kingdom
2006		The Netherlands

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” This Statement, which was effective December 31, 2006 for the Company, required employers to recognize the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans as an asset or liability on the balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status through comprehensive income. See Note G for the Company’s disclosures related to pension and other postretirement benefits.

SAB No. 74 Disclosures for Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this Statement.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating if it will elect the fair value option for any of its eligible financial instruments and other items.

NOTE C — 2006 RESTRUCTURING

On August 29, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to shut down a number of assets around the world as the Company continues its drive to improve the competitiveness of its global operations. As a consequence of these shutdowns, which are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008, and other optimization activities, the Company recorded pretax restructuring charges totaling $591 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2006. The charges consisted of asset write-downs and write-offs of $346 million, costs associated with exit or disposal activities of $172 million and severance costs of $73 million. The impact of the charges was shown as “Restructuring charges” in the 2006 consolidated statements of income.

The following table summarizes 2007 activities related to the Company’s restructuring reserve:

Activities Related to 2006 Restructuring In millions	Costs associated with Exit or Disposal Activities			Severance Costs			Total
Reserve balance at December 31, 2006	$	171		$	69		$	240
Cash payments	(1		)	(8		)	(9		)
Reserve balance at March 31, 2007	$	170		$	61		$	231

As a result of the Company’s plans to shutdown assets around the world, and conduct other optimization activities principally in Europe, the restructuring charges recorded in 2006 included severance of $73 million for the separation of approximately 810 employees under the terms of Dow’s ongoing benefit arrangements, primarily over the next two years. As of March 31, 2007, severance of $12 million had been paid to 184 employees, and a liability of $61 million remained for approximately 625 employees.

Dow expects to incur future costs related to its restructuring activities, as the Company continually looks for ways to enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its operations, to ensure competitiveness across its businesses and across geographic areas. Future costs are expected to include demolition costs related to the closed facilities, which will be recognized as incurred. The Company also expects to incur additional employee-related costs, including involuntary termination benefits, related to its other optimization activities, and pension plan settlement costs. These costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

NOTE D — INVENTORIES

The following table provides a breakdown of inventories:

Inventories In millions	March 31, 2007		Dec. 31, 2006
Finished goods	$	3,556	$	3,498
Work in process	1,344		1,319
Raw materials	621		672
Supplies	585		569
Total inventories	$	6,106	$	6,058

The reserves reducing inventories from the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis to the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis amounted to $990 million at March 31, 2007 and $1,092 million at December 31, 2006.

NOTE E — GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table shows the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment:

Goodwill In millions	Performance Plastics		Performance Chemicals		Agricultural Sciences		Basic Plastics		Hydrocarbons and Energy		Total
Balance at December 31, 2006	$	915	$	850	$	1,320	$	94	$	63	$	3,242
Additional goodwill related to acquisition of Zhejiang Omex Environmental Engineering Co. LTD	—		2		—		—		—		2
Goodwill related to acquisition of additional 50% interest in Styron Asia Limited	—		—		—		6		—		6
Balance at March 31, 2007	$	915	$	852	$	1,320	$	100	$	63	$	3,250

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s other intangible assets:

Other Intangible Assets	At March 31, 2007							At December 31, 2006
In millions	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Intangible assets with finite lives:
Licenses and intellectual property	$	240	$	(148	)	$	92	$	234	$	(142	)	$	92
Patents	148		(120		)	28		148		(117		)	31
Software	470		(279		)	191		452		(269		)	183
Trademarks	133		(42		)	91		133		(40		)	93
Other	110		(55		)	55		110		(52		)	58
Total	$	1,101	$	(644	)	$	457	$	1,077	$	(620	)	$	457

The following table provides information regarding amortization expense:

Amortization Expense	Three Months Ended
In millions	March 31, 2007		March 31, 2006
Other intangible assets, excluding software	$	11	$	12
Software, included in “Cost of sales”	$	10	$	10

Total estimated amortization expense for 2007 and the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

Estimated Amortization Expense In millions
2007	$	85
2008	$	79
2009	$	71
2010	$	68
2011	$	57
2012	$	11

NOTE F — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Litigation

Breast Implant Matters

On May 15, 1995, Dow Corning Corporation (“Dow Corning”), in which the Company is a 50 percent shareholder, voluntarily filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to resolve litigation related to Dow Corning’s breast implant and other silicone medical products. On June 1, 2004, Dow Corning’s Joint Plan of Reorganization (the “Joint Plan”) became effective and Dow Corning emerged from bankruptcy. The Joint Plan contains release and injunction provisions resolving all tort claims brought against various entities, including the Company, involving Dow Corning’s breast implant and other silicone medical products.

To the extent not previously resolved in state court actions, cases involving Dow Corning’s breast implant and other silicone medical products filed against the Company were transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (the “District Court”) for resolution in the context of the Joint Plan. On October 6, 2005, all such cases then pending in the District Court against the Company were dismissed. Should cases involving Dow Corning’s breast implant and other silicone medical products be filed against the Company in the future, they will be accorded similar treatment. It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that a resolution of all future cases will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

As part of the Joint Plan, Dow and Corning Incorporated have agreed to provide a credit facility to Dow Corning in an aggregate amount of $300 million. The Company’s share of the credit facility is $150 million and is subject to the terms and conditions stated in the Joint Plan. At March 31, 2007, no draws had been taken against the credit facility.

DBCP Matters

Numerous lawsuits have been brought against the Company and other chemical companies, both inside and outside of the United States, alleging that the manufacture, distribution or use of pesticides containing dibromochloropropane (“DBCP”) has caused personal injury and property damage, including contamination of groundwater. It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that the resolution of such lawsuits will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Environmental Matters

Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, based on current law and existing technologies. At March 31, 2007, the Company had accrued obligations of $345 million for environmental remediation and restoration costs, including $33 million for the remediation of Superfund sites. This is management’s best estimate of the costs for remediation and restoration with respect to environmental matters for which the Company has accrued liabilities, although the ultimate cost with respect to these particular matters could range up to twice that amount. Inherent uncertainties exist in these estimates primarily due to unknown conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and evolving technologies for handling site remediation and restoration. At December 31, 2006, the Company had accrued obligations of $347 million for environmental remediation and restoration costs, including $31 million for the remediation of Superfund sites.

On June 12, 2003, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”) issued a Hazardous Waste Operating License (the “License”) to the Company’s Midland, Michigan manufacturing site (the “Midland site”), which included provisions requiring the Company to conduct an investigation to determine the nature and extent of off-site contamination in Midland area soils; Tittabawassee and Saginaw River sediment and floodplain soils; and Saginaw Bay. The License required the Company, by August 11, 2003, to propose a detailed Scope of Work for the off-site investigation for review and approval by the MDEQ. Revised Scopes of Work were approved by the MDEQ on October 18, 2005. Discussions between the Company and the MDEQ that occurred in 2004 and early 2005 regarding how to proceed with off-site corrective action under the License resulted in the execution of the Framework for an Agreement Between the State of Michigan and The Dow Chemical Company (the “Framework”) on January 20, 2005. The Framework committed the Company to take certain immediate interim remedial actions in the City of Midland and along the Tittabawassee River, conduct certain studies, and propose a remedial investigation work plan by the end of 2005. The interim remedial actions required by the Framework are currently underway. The Company submitted Remedial Investigation Work Plans for the City of Midland and for the Tittabawassee River on December 29, 2005. By letters dated March 2, 2006 and April 13, 2006, the MDEQ provided two Notices of Deficiency (“Notices”) to the Company regarding the Remedial Investigation Work Plans. The Company responded, as required, to some of the items in the Notices on May 1, 2006, and as required responded to the balance of the items and submitted revised Remedial Investigation Work Plans on December 1, 2006. On July 12, 2006, the MDEQ approved the sampling for the first six miles of the Tittabawassee River. On December 1, 2006, the MDEQ approved the Sampling and Analysis Plan in Support of Bioavailability Study for Midland (the “Plan”). The results of the Plan were

provided to the MDEQ on March 22, 2007. The MDEQ is requiring the Company to implement Interim Response Activities and Pilot Corrective Action Plans in specific areas in and along the Tittabawassee River, where elevated levels of dioxins and furans were found during the investigation of the first six miles of the river. Implementation will occur as soon as the MDEQ approves the final plans and schedules, and as necessary permits are issued. The Framework also contemplates that the Company, the State of Michigan and other federal and tribal governmental entities will negotiate the terms of an agreement or agreements to resolve potential governmental claims against the Company related to historical off-site contamination associated with the Midland site. The Company and the governmental parties began to meet in the fall of 2005 and entered into a Confidentiality Agreement in December 2005. At the end of 2006, the Company had an accrual for off-site corrective action of $7 million (included in the total accrued obligation of $347 million at December 31, 2006) based on the range of activities that the Company proposed and discussed implementing with the MDEQ and which is set forth in the Framework. At March 31, 2007, the accrual for off-site corrective action was $9 million (included in the total accrued obligation of $345 million at March 31, 2007).

It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that costs in excess of those disclosed will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation

Union Carbide Corporation (“Union Carbide”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is and has been involved in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts during the past three decades. These suits principally allege personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos-containing products and frequently seek both actual and punitive damages. The alleged claims primarily relate to products that Union Carbide sold in the past, alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products located on Union Carbide’s premises, and Union Carbide’s responsibility for asbestos suits filed against a former Union Carbide subsidiary, Amchem Products, Inc. (“Amchem”). In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable loss as a result of such exposure, or that injuries incurred in fact resulted from exposure to Union Carbide’s products.

Influenced by the bankruptcy filings of numerous defendants in asbestos-related litigation and the prospects of various forms of state and national legislative reform, the rate at which plaintiffs filed asbestos-related suits against various companies, including Union Carbide and Amchem, increased in 2001, 2002 and the first half of 2003. Since then, the rate of filing has significantly abated. Union Carbide expects more asbestos-related suits to be filed against Union Carbide and Amchem in the future, and will aggressively defend or reasonably resolve, as appropriate, both pending and future claims.

Based on a study completed by Analysis, Research & Planning Corporation (“ARPC”) in January 2003, Union Carbide increased its December 31, 2002 asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims for the 15-year period ending in 2017 to $2.2 billion, excluding future defense and processing costs. Since then, Union Carbide has compared current asbestos claim and resolution activity to the results of the most recent ARPC study at each balance sheet date to determine whether the accrual continues to be appropriate.

In November 2004, Union Carbide requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s historical asbestos claim and resolution activity and determine the appropriateness of updating its January 2003 study. In January 2005, ARPC provided Union Carbide with a report summarizing the results of its study. At December 31, 2004, Union Carbide’s recorded asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $1.6 billion. Based on the low end of the range in the January 2005 study, Union Carbide’s recorded asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims at December 31, 2004 would be sufficient to resolve asbestos-related claims against Union Carbide and Amchem into 2019. As in its January 2003 study, ARPC did provide estimates for a longer period of time in its January 2005 study, but also reaffirmed its prior advice that forecasts for shorter periods of time are more accurate than those for longer periods of time.

In November 2005, Union Carbide requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s 2005 asbestos claim and resolution activity and determine the appropriateness of updating its January 2005 study. In response to that request, ARPC reviewed and analyzed data through October 31, 2005. In January 2006, ARPC stated that an update of its study would not provide a more likely estimate of future events than the estimate reflected in its study of the previous year and, therefore, the estimate in that study remained applicable. Based on Union Carbide’s own review of the asbestos claim and resolution activity and ARPC’s response, Union Carbide determined that no change to the accrual was required. At December 31, 2005, Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $1.5 billion.

In November 2006, Union Carbide requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s historical asbestos claim and resolution activity and determine the appropriateness of updating its January 2005 study. In response to that request, ARPC reviewed and analyzed data through October 31, 2006 and concluded that the experience from 2004 through 2006 was sufficient for the purpose of forecasting future filings and values of asbestos claims filed against Union Carbide and Amchem, and could be used in place of previous assumptions to update its January 2005 study. The resulting study, completed by ARPC in December 2006, stated that the undiscounted cost of resolving pending and future asbestos-related claims against Union Carbide and Amchem, excluding future defense and processing costs, through 2021 was estimated to be between approximately $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion. As in its January 2005 study, ARPC provided estimates for a longer period of

time in its December 2006 study, but also reaffirmed its prior advice that forecasts for shorter periods of time are more accurate than those for longer periods of time.

Based on ARPC’s December 2006 study and Union Carbide’s own review of the asbestos claim and resolution activity, Union Carbide decreased its asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2006 which covers the 15-year period ending in 2021 (excluding future defense and processing costs). The reduction was $177 million and was shown as “Asbestos-related credit” in the consolidated statements of income for 2006. At December 31, 2006, approximately 25 percent of the recorded liability related to pending claims and approximately 75 percent related to future claims.

Based on Union Carbide’s review of 2007 activity, Union Carbide determined that no adjustment to the accrual was required at March 31, 2007. Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $1.2 billion at March 31, 2007. Approximately 28 percent of the recorded liability related to pending claims and approximately 72 percent related to future claims.

At December 31, 2002, Union Carbide increased the receivable for insurance recoveries related to its asbestos liability to $1.35 billion, substantially exhausting its asbestos product liability coverage. The insurance receivable related to the asbestos liability was determined by Union Carbide after a thorough review of applicable insurance policies and the 1985 Wellington Agreement, to which Union Carbide and many of its liability insurers are signatory parties, as well as other insurance settlements, with due consideration given to applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, and taking into account the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers. The Wellington Agreement and other agreements with insurers are designed to facilitate an orderly resolution and collection of Union Carbide’s insurance policies and to resolve issues that the insurance carriers may raise.

In September 2003, Union Carbide filed a comprehensive insurance coverage case, now proceeding in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, seeking to confirm its rights to insurance for various asbestos claims and to facilitate an orderly and timely collection of insurance proceeds. This lawsuit was filed against insurers that are not signatories to the Wellington Agreement and/or do not otherwise have agreements in place with Union Carbide regarding their asbestos-related insurance coverage, in order to facilitate an orderly resolution and collection of such insurance policies and to resolve issues that the insurance carriers may raise. Although the lawsuit is continuing, through the end of the first quarter of 2007, Union Carbide had reached settlements with several of the carriers involved in this litigation.

Union Carbide’s receivable for insurance recoveries related to its asbestos liability was $484 million at March 31, 2007 and $495 million at December 31, 2006. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, all of the receivable for insurance recoveries was related to insurers that are not signatories to the Wellington Agreement and/or do not otherwise have agreements in place regarding their asbestos-related insurance coverage.

In addition to the receivable for insurance recoveries related to its asbestos liability, Union Carbide had receivables for defense and resolution costs submitted to insurance carriers for reimbursement as follows:

Receivables for Costs Submitted to Insurance Carriers

In millions	March 31, 2007		Dec. 31, 2006
Receivables for defense costs	$	35	$	34
Receivables for resolution costs	265		266
Total	$	300	$	300

Union Carbide expenses defense costs as incurred. The pretax impact for defense and resolution costs, net of insurance, was $17 million in the first quarter of 2007 and $14 million in the first quarter of 2006, and was reflected in “Cost of sales.”

After a review of its insurance policies, with due consideration given to applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, after taking into account the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers; existing insurance settlements; and the advice of outside counsel with respect to the applicable insurance coverage law relating to the terms and conditions of its insurance policies, Union Carbide continues to believe that its recorded receivable for insurance recoveries from all insurance carriers is probable of collection.

The amounts recorded by Union Carbide for the asbestos-related liability and related insurance receivable described above were based upon current, known facts. However, future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed and/or received each year, the average cost of disposing of each such claim, coverage issues among insurers, and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation in the United States, could cause the actual costs and insurance recoveries for Union Carbide to be higher or lower than those projected or those recorded.

Because of the uncertainties described above, Union Carbide’s management cannot estimate the full range of the cost of resolving pending and future asbestos-related claims facing Union Carbide and Amchem. Union Carbide’s management believes that it is reasonably possible that the cost of disposing of Union Carbide’s asbestos-related claims, including future defense costs, could have a material adverse impact on Union Carbide’s results of operations and cash flows for a particular period and on the consolidated financial position of Union Carbide.

It is the opinion of Dow’s management that it is reasonably possible that the cost of Union Carbide disposing of its asbestos-related claims, including future defense costs, could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for a particular period and on the consolidated financial position of the Company.

Synthetic Rubber Industry Matters

In 2003, the U.S., Canadian and European competition authorities initiated separate investigations into alleged anticompetitive behavior by certain participants in the synthetic rubber industry. Certain subsidiaries of the Company (but as to the investigation in Europe only) have responded to requests for documents and are otherwise cooperating in the investigations.

On June 10, 2005, the Company received a Statement of Objections from the European Commission (the “EC”) stating that it believed that the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company (the “Dow Entities”), together with other participants in the synthetic rubber industry, engaged in conduct in violation of European competition laws with respect to the butadiene rubber and emulsion styrene butadiene rubber businesses. In connection therewith, on November 29, 2006, the EC issued its decision alleging infringement of Article 81 of the Treaty of Rome and imposed a fine of Euro 64.575 million (approximately $85 million) on the Dow Entities. Several other companies were also named and fined. Subsequently, the Company has been named in various related U.S. civil actions. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company recognized a loss contingency of $85 million related to the fine. The Company has appealed the EC’s decision.

Additionally, on March 10, 2007, the Company received a Statement of Objections from the EC stating that it believed that DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C. (“DDE”), a former 50:50 joint venture with E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”), together with other participants in the synthetic rubber industry, engaged in conduct in violation of European competition laws with respect to the polychloroprene business. This Statement of Objections specifically names the Company, but only in its capacity as a former joint venture owner of DDE. The Company transferred its joint venture ownership interest in DDE to DuPont in 2005, and DDE then changed its name to DuPont Performance Elastomers L.L.C. (“DPE”). Based on agreements reached between the Company and DuPont in 2004, DuPont will manage DPE’s response to this Statement of Objections. Further, based on the Company’s allocation agreement with DuPont, it is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that its financial responsibility with respect to any potential DDE liabilities will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Polyurethane Subpoena Matter

On February 16, 2006, the Company, among others, received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice as part of an antitrust investigation of polyurethane chemicals, including methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate and polyols. The Company is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Other Litigation Matters

In addition to breast implant, DBCP, environmental, synthetic rubber industry, and polyurethane subpoena matters, the Company is party to a number of other claims and lawsuits arising out of the normal course of business with respect to commercial matters, including product liability, governmental regulation and other actions. Certain of these actions purport to be class actions and seek damages in very large amounts. All such claims are being contested. Dow has an active risk management program consisting of numerous insurance policies secured from many carriers at various times. These policies provide coverage that will be utilized to minimize the impact, if any, of the contingencies described above.

Summary

Except for the possible effect of Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability described above, it is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that the aggregate of all claims and lawsuits will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Purchase Commitments

The Company has numerous agreements for the purchase of ethylene-related products globally. The purchase prices are determined on a cost-of-service basis, which, in addition to covering all operating expenses and debt service costs, provides the owners of the manufacturing plants with a specified return on capital. Total purchases under these agreements were $1,356 million in 2006, $1,175 million in 2005 and $1,063 million in 2004. The Company’s commitments at December 31, 2006 associated with these agreements are included in the table below.

The Company also has various commitments for take or pay and throughput agreements. Such commitments are at prices not in excess of current market prices. The terms of all but one of these agreements extend from one to 25 years. One agreement has terms extending to 80 years. The determinable future commitment for this agreement is included for 10 years in the following table which presents the fixed and determinable portion of obligations under the Company’s purchase commitments at December 31, 2006:

Fixed and Determinable Portion of Take or Pay and

Throughput Obligations at December 31, 2006

In millions
2007	$	2,107
2008	1,802
2009	1,579
2010	1,339
2011	889
2012 and beyond	5,281
Total	$	12,997

In addition to the take or pay obligations at December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding commitments which ranged from one to six years for steam, electrical power, materials, property and other items used in the normal course of business of approximately $459 million. Such commitments were at prices not in excess of current market prices.

Guarantees

The Company provides a variety of guarantees, as described more fully in the following sections.

Guarantees

Guarantees arise during the ordinary course of business from relationships with customers and nonconsolidated affiliates when the Company undertakes an obligation to guarantee the performance of others (via delivery of cash or other assets) if specified triggering events occur. With guarantees, such as commercial or financial contracts, non-performance by the guaranteed party triggers the obligation of the Company to make payments to the beneficiary of the guarantee. The majority of the Company’s guarantees relate to debt of nonconsolidated affiliates, which have expiration dates ranging from less than one year to eight years, and trade financing transactions in Latin America and Asia Pacific, which typically expire within one year of their inception.

Residual Value Guarantees

The Company provides guarantees related to leased assets specifying the residual value that will be available to the lessor at lease termination through sale of the assets to the lessee or third parties.

The following tables provide a summary of the final expiration, maximum future payments and recorded liability reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for each type of guarantee:

Guarantees at March 31, 2007 In millions	Final Expiration	Maximum Future Payments		Recorded Liability
Guarantees	2014	$	345	$	18
Residual value guarantees	2015	1,045		6
Total guarantees		$	1,390	$	24

Guarantees at December 31, 2006 In millions	Final Expiration	Maximum Future Payments		Recorded Liability
Guarantees	2014	$	340	$	20
Residual value guarantees	2015	1,044		6
Total guarantees		$	1,384	$	26

Asset Retirement Obligations

In accordance with SFAS No. 143, as interpreted by FIN No. 47, the Company has recognized asset retirement obligations for the following activities: demolition and remediation activities at manufacturing sites in the United States and Europe; capping activities at landfill sites in the United States, Canada, Italy and Brazil; and asbestos encapsulation as a result of planned demolition and remediation activities at manufacturing and administrative sites in the United States, Canada and Europe.

The aggregate carrying amount of asset retirement obligations recognized by the Company was $104 million at March 31, 2007 and $106 million at December 31, 2006. The discount rate used to calculate the Company’s asset retirement obligation was 4.6 percent. These obligations are included in the consolidated balance sheets as “Other noncurrent obligations.”

The Company has not recognized conditional asset retirement obligations for which a fair value cannot be reasonably estimated in its consolidated financial statements. It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the possibility is remote that such conditional asset retirement obligations, when estimable, will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on current costs.

NOTE G — PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Net Periodic Benefit Cost for All Significant Plans In millions	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2007			March 31, 2006
Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
Service cost	$	71		$	70
Interest cost	217			204
Expected return on plan assets	(291		)	(273		)
Amortization of prior service cost	6			5
Amortization of net loss	49			54
Termination benefits/curtailment costs	1			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	53		$	60

Other Postretirement Benefits:
Service cost	$	5		$	6
Interest cost	28			29
Expected return on plan assets	(9		)	(7		)
Amortization of prior service credit	(1		)	(2		)
Amortization of net loss	1			2
Net periodic benefit cost	$	24		$	28

NOTE H — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company grants stock-based compensation to employees under the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plans (“ESPP”) and the 1988 Award and Option Plan (the “1988 Plan”), and to non-employee directors under the 2003 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Incentive Plan.

During the first quarter of 2007, employees subscribed to the right to purchase 5.3 million shares with a weighted-average exercise price of $30.81 per share and a weighted-average fair value of $10.62 per share under the ESPP. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to ESPP purchase rights was $45 million at March 31, 2007 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 4.6 months.

During the first quarter of 2007, the Company granted the following stock-based compensation awards to employees under the 1988 Plan:

· 7.6 million stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $43.59 per share and a weighted-average fair value of $9.81 per share. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options was $106 million at March 31, 2007 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.0 years.

· 1.8 million shares of deferred stock with a weighted-average fair value of $43.58 per share. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to deferred stock awards was $163 million at March 31, 2007 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.94 years.

· 1.0 million shares of performance deferred stock with a weighted-average fair value of $43.59 per share. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to performance deferred stock awards was $75 million at March 31, 2007 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.02 years.

During the first quarter of 2007, the Company granted the following stock-based compensation awards to non-employee directors under the 2003 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Incentive Plan:

· 48,400 stock options with a weighted-average fair value of $9.83 per share.

· 9,200 shares of restricted stock with a weighted-average fair value of $41.97 per share.

NOTE I — EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS

Earnings Per Share Calculations	Three Months Ended March 31, 2007				Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
In millions, except per share amounts	Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
Net income available for common stockholders	$	973	$	973	$	1,214	$	1,214
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	963.2		963.2		967.9		967.9
Add dilutive effect of stock options and awards	—		12.7		—		12.8
Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculations	963.2		975.9		967.9		980.7
Earnings per common share	$	1.01	$	1.00	$	1.25	$	1.24
Stock options and deferred stock awards excluded from EPS calculations (1)			22.2				14.9

(1) Outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock and deferred stock awards that were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

NOTE J — OPERATING SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

Corporate Profile

Dow is a diversified chemical company that offers a broad range of innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care. In 2006, Dow had annual sales of $49 billion and employed approximately 42,600 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 37 countries and produces more than 3,100 products. The following descriptions of the Company’s operating segments include a representative listing of products for each business.

PERFORMANCE PLASTICS

Applications: automotive interiors, exteriors, under-the-hood and body engineered systems • building and construction, thermal and acoustic insulation, roofing • communications technology, telecommunication cables, electrical and electronic connectors • footwear • home and office furnishings: kitchen appliances, power tools, floor care products, mattresses, carpeting, flooring, furniture padding, office furniture • information technology equipment and consumer electronics • packaging, food and beverage containers, protective packaging • sports and recreation equipment • wire and cable insulation and jacketing materials for power utility and telecommunications

Dow Automotive serves the global automotive market and is a leading supplier of plastics, adhesives, sealants and other plastics-enhanced products for interior, exterior, under-the-hood, vehicle body structure and acoustical management technology solutions. With offices and application development centers around the world, Dow Automotive provides materials science expertise and comprehensive technical capabilities to its customers worldwide.

· Products: AFFINITY™ polyolefin plastomers; AMPLIFY™ functional polymers; BETABRACE™ reinforcing composites; BETADAMP™ acoustical damping systems; BETAFOAM™ NVH and structural foams; BETAGUARD™ sealants; BETAMATE™ structural adhesives; BETASEAL™ glass bonding systems; CALIBRE™ polycarbonate resins; DOW™ polyethylene resins; DOW™ polypropylene resins and automotive components made with DOW™ polypropylene; IMPAXX™ energy management foam; INSPIRE™ performance polymers; INTEGRAL™ adhesive film; ISONATE™ pure and modified methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) products; ISOPLAST™ engineering thermoplastic polyurethane resins; MAGNUM™ ABS

resins; PAPI™ polymeric MDI; PELLETHANE™ thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers; Premium brake fluids and lubricants; PULSE™ engineering resins; SPECFLEX™ semi-flexible polyurethane foam systems; SPECTRIM™ reaction moldable polymers; STRANDFOAM™ polypropylene foam; VERSIFY™ plastomers and elastomers; VORANATE™ specialty isocyanates; VORANOL™ polyether polyols

Dow Building Solutions manufactures and markets an extensive line of insulation, weather barrier, and oriented composite building solutions, as well as a line of cushion packaging foam solutions. The business is the recognized leader in extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation, known industry-wide by its distinctive Blue color and the Dow STYROFOAM™ brand for more than 50 years. The business also manufactures foam solutions for a wide range of applications including cushion packaging, electronics protection and material handling.

· Products: EQUIFOAM™ comfort products; ETHAFOAM™ polyethylene foam; FROTH-PAK™ polyurethane spray foam; GREAT STUFF™ polyurethane foam sealant; IMMOTUS™ acoustic panels; INSTA-STIK™ roof insulation adhesive; QUASH™ sound management foam; SARAN™ vapor retarder film and tape; STYROFOAM™ brand insulation products (including XPS and polyisocyanurate rigid foam sheathing products); SYMMATRIX™ oriented composites; SYNERGY™ soft touch foam; TILE BOND™ roof tile adhesive; TRYMER™ polyisocyanurate foam pipe insulation; WEATHERMATE™ weather barrier solutions (housewraps, sill pans, flashings and tapes)

Dow Epoxy is a leading global producer of epoxy resins, intermediates and specialty resins for a wide range of industries and applications such as coatings, electrical laminates, civil engineering, adhesives and composites. With plants strategically located across four continents, the business is focused on providing customers around the world with differentiated solution-based epoxy products and innovative technologies and services.

· Products: D.E.H.™ epoxy curing agents or hardeners; D.E.N.™ epoxy novolac resins; D.E.R.™ epoxy resins (liquids, solids and solutions); Epoxy intermediates (Acetone, Allyl chloride, Bisphenol-A, Epichlorohydrin, OPTIM™ synthetic glycerine and Phenol); Peroxymeric chemicals (CYRACURE™ cycloaliphatic epoxides, FLEXOL™ plasticizers; and TONE™ monomers, polyols and polymers); Specialty acrylic monomers (Glycidyl methacrylate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate and Hydroxypropyl acrylate); UCAR™ solution vinyl resins

The Polyurethanes and Polyurethane Systems business is a leading global producer of polyurethane raw materials and polyurethane systems. Differentiated by its ability to globally supply a high-quality, consistent and complete product range, this business emphasizes both existing and new business developments while facilitating customer success with a global market and technology network.

· Products: ENFORCER™ Technology and ENHANCER™ Technology for polyurethane carpet and turf backing; ISONATE™ MDI; PAPI™ polymeric MDI; Propylene glycol; Propylene oxide; SPECFLEX™ copolymer polyols; SYNTEGRA™ waterborne polyurethane dispersions; VORACOR™, VORALAST™, VORALUX™ and VORASTAR™ polyurethane systems; VORANATE™ isocyanate; VORANOL™ and VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyether and copolymer polyols

Specialty Plastics and Elastomers is a business portfolio of specialty products including a broad range of engineering plastics and compounds, performance elastomers and plastomers, specialty copolymers, synthetic rubber, polyvinylidene chloride resins and films (PVDC), and specialty film substrates. The business serves such industries as automotive, civil construction, wire and cable, building and construction, consumer electronics and appliances, food and specialty packaging, and footwear.

· Products: AFFINITY™ polyolefin plastomers (POPs); AMPLIFY™ functional polymers; CALIBRE™ polycarbonate resins; DOW XLA™ elastic fiber; EMERGE™ advanced resins; ENGAGE™ polyolefin elastomers; FLEXOMER™ very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) resins; INTEGRAL™ adhesive films; ISOPLAST™ engineering thermoplastic polyurethane resins; MAGNUM™ ABS resins; NORDEL™ hydrocarbon rubber; PELLETHANE™ thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers; PRIMACOR™ copolymers; PROCITE™ window envelope films; PULSE™ engineering resins; REDI-LINK™ polyethylene-based wire & cable insulation compounds; SARAN™ PVDC resin and SARAN™ PVDC film ; SARANEX™ barrier films; SI-LINK™ polyethylene-based low voltage insulation compounds; TRENCHCOAT™ protective films; TYRIL™ SAN resins; TYRIN™ chlorinated polyethylene; UNIGARD™ HP high-performance flame-retardant compounds; UNIGARD™ RE reduced emissions flame-retardant compounds; UNIPURGE™ purging compound; VERSIFY™ plastomers and elastomers; ZETABON™ coated metal cable armor

The Technology Licensing and Catalyst business includes licensing and supply of related catalysts, process control software and services for the UNIPOL™ polypropylene process, the METEOR™ process for ethylene oxide (EO) and ethylene glycol (EG), the LP OXO™ process for oxo alcohols, the QBIS™ bisphenol A process, and Dow’s proprietary technology for production of purified terephthalic acid (PTA). Licensing of the UNIPOL™ polyethylene process and sale of related catalysts, including metallocene catalysts, are handled through Univation Technologies, LLC, a 50:50 joint venture of Union Carbide.

· Products: LP OXO™ process technology and NORMAX™ catalysts; METEOR™ EO/EG process technology and catalysts; PTA process technology; QBIS™ bisphenol A process technology and DOWEX™ QCAT™ catalyst; UNIPOL™ PP process technology and SHAC™ catalyst systems

The Performance Plastics segment also includes a portion of the results of the Siam Group, a group of Thailand-based joint ventures.

PERFORMANCE CHEMICALS

Applications: agricultural and pharmaceutical products and processing • building materials • chemical processing and intermediates • electronics • food processing and ingredients • gas treating solvents • household products • metal degreasing and dry cleaning • oil and gas treatment • paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, lubricants • personal care products • pulp and paper manufacturing, coated paper and paperboard • textiles and carpet • water purification

Designed Polymers is a business portfolio of products and systems characterized by unique chemistry, deep expertise in regulated markets and specialty product qualities and features. Within Designed Polymers, Dow Water Solutions offers world-class brands and enabling component technologies designed to advance the science of desalination, water purification, trace contaminant removal and water recycling. Other businesses in Designed Polymers, such as Water Soluble Polymers, develop and market a range of products that enhance the physical and sensory properties of end-use products in a wide range of applications including food, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, paints and coatings, personal care, and building and construction.

· Products and Services: Acrolein derivatives; Basic nitroparaffins and nitroparaffin-based specialty chemicals of ANGUS Chemical Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow; CELLOSIZE™ hydroxyethyl cellulose; Chiral compounds and biocatalysts; CYCLOTENE™ advanced electronics resins; DOW™ latex powders; DOWEX™ ion exchange resins; ETHOCEL™ ethylcellulose resins; FILMTEC™ membranes; FORTEFIBER™ soluble dietary fiber; Hydrocarbon resins; Industrial biocides; METHOCEL™ cellulose ethers; OMEXELL™ ultrafiltration; OMEXELL™ electrodeionization; Pfenex Expression Technology™; POLYOX™ water-soluble resins; Quaternaries; SILK™ semiconductor dielectric resins

The Dow Latex business is a major global supplier of latexes, for a wide range of industries and applications. It provides the broadest line of styrene/butadiene (S/B) products supporting customers in paper and paperboard (for magazines, catalogues and food packaging) applications, and the carpet and floor covering industry. UCAR Emulsion Systems (UES) manufactures and sells acrylic, vinyl acrylic, vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE), and S/B and styrene acrylic latexes and NEOCAR™ branched vinyl ester latexes for use in the architectural and industrial coatings, adhesives, construction products such as caulks and sealants, textile, and traffic paint. It also offers the broadest product range in the dispersion area and produces and markets UCAR™ POLYPHOBE™ rheology modifiers.

· Products: Acrylic latex; EVOCAR™ specialty latex; FOUNDATIONS™ latex; NEOCAR™ branched vinyl ester latexes; Styrene-acrylate latex; Styrene-butadiene latex; Styrene-butadiene vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE); UCAR™ all-acrylic, styrene-acrylic and vinyl-acrylic latexes; UCAR™ POLYPHOBE™ rheology modifiers; UCARHIDE™ opacifier

The Specialty Chemicals business provides products and services used as functional ingredients or processing aids in the manufacture of a diverse range of products. Applications include agricultural and pharmaceutical products and processing, building and construction, chemical processing and intermediates, electronics, food processing and ingredients, gas treating solvents, fuels and lubricants, oil and gas, household and institutional cleaners, coatings and paints, pulp and paper manufacturing, metal degreasing and dry cleaning, and transportation. Dow Haltermann Custom Processing provides contract and custom manufacturing services to other specialty chemical, agricultural chemical and biodiesel producers.

· Products: Acrylic acid/Acrylic esters; AMBITROL™ and NORKOOL™ industrial coolants; Butyl CARBITOL™ and Butyl CELLOSOLVE™ ethylene oxide; CARBOWAX™ and CARBOWAX™ SENTRY™ polyethylene glycols and methoxypolyethylene glycols; Diphenyloxide; DOW™ polypropylene glycols; DOWCAL™, DOWFROST™, DOWTHERM™, SYLTHERM and UCARTHERM™ heat transfer fluids; DOWFAX™, TERGITOL™ and TRITON™ surfactants; Ethanolamines; Ethyleneamines; Isopropanolamines; MAXIBOOST™ cleaning boosters; MAXICHECK™ solvent analysis test kits; MAXISTAB™ stabilizers; Propylene oxide-based glycol ethers; SAFE-TAINER™ closed-loop delivery system; SYNALOX™ lubricants; UCAR™ deicing fluids; UCARKLEAN™ amine management; UCARSOL™ formulated solvents; UCON™ fluids; VERSENE™ chelating agents; Fine and specialty chemicals from the Dow Haltermann Custom Processing business; Test and reference fuels, printing ink distillates, pure hydrocarbons and esters, and derivatives from Haltermann Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow

The Performance Chemicals segment also includes the results of Dow Corning Corporation, and a portion of the results of the OPTIMAL Group and the Siam Group, all joint ventures of the Company.

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Applications: control of weeds, insects and plant diseases for agriculture and pest management • agricultural seeds and traits (genes)

Dow AgroSciences is a global leader in providing pest management, agricultural and crop biotechnology products and solutions. The business develops, manufactures and markets products for crop production; weed, insect and plant disease management; and industrial and commercial pest management. Dow AgroSciences is building a leading plant genetics and biotechnology business in agricultural seeds, traits, healthy oils, and animal health.

· Products: CLINCHER™ herbicide; DITHANE™ fungicide; FORTRESS™ fungicide; GARLON™ herbicide; GLYPHOMAX™ herbicide; GRANITE™ herbicide, HERCULEX™ I insect protection; HERCULEX™RW insect protection; HERCULEX™ XTRA insect protection; KEYSTONE™ herbicides; LAREDO™ fungicide; LONTREL™ herbicide; LORSBAN™ insecticides; MILESTONE™ herbicide; MUSTANG™ herbicide; MYCOGEN™ seeds; NEXERA™ canola and sunflower seeds; PHYTOGEN™ brand cottonseeds; PROFUME™ gas fumigant; SENTRICON™ termite colony elimination system; STARANE™ herbicide;STINGER™ herbicide; SURPASS™ herbicide; TELONE™ soil fumigant; TORDON™ herbicide; TRACER™ NATURALYTE™ insect control; VIKANE™ structural fumigant; WIDESTRIKE™ insect protection

BASIC PLASTICS

Applications: adhesives • appliances and appliance housings • agricultural films • automotive parts and trim • beverage bottles • bins, crates, pails and pallets • building and construction • coatings • consumer and durable goods • consumer electronics • disposable diaper liners • fibers and nonwovens • films, bags and packaging for food and consumer products • hoses and tubing • household and industrial bottles • housewares • hygiene and medical films • industrial and consumer films and foams • information technology • oil tanks and road equipment • plastic pipe • textiles • toys, playground equipment and recreational products • wire and cable compounds

The Polyethylene business is the world’s leading supplier of polyethylene-based solutions through sustainable product differentiation. Through the use of multiple catalyst and process technologies, the business offers customers one of the industry’s broadest ranges of polyethylene resins via a strong global network of local experts focused on partnering for long-term success.

· Products: ASPUN™ fiber grade resins; ATTANE™ ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE) resins; CONTINUUM™ bimodal polyethylene resins; DOW™ high density polyethylene (HDPE) resins; DOW™ low density polyethylene (LDPE) resins; DOWLEX™ polyethylene resins; ELITE™ enhanced polyethylene (EPE) resins; TUFLIN™ linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins; UNIVAL™ HDPE resins

The Polypropylene business, a major global polypropylene supplier, provides a broad range of products and solutions tailored to customer needs by leveraging Dow’s leading manufacturing and application technology, research and product development expertise, extensive market knowledge and strong customer relationships.

· Products: DOW™ homopolymer polypropylene resins; DOW™ impact copolymer polypropylene resins; DOW™ random copolymer polypropylene resins; INSPIRE™ performance polymers

The Polystyrene business, the global leader in the production of polystyrene resins, is uniquely positioned with geographic breadth and participation in a diversified portfolio of applications. Through market and technical leadership and low cost capability, the business continues to improve product performance and meet customer needs.

· Products: STYRON A-TECH™ and C-TECH™ advanced technology polystyrene resins and a full line of STYRON™ general purpose polystyrene resins; STYRON™ high-impact polystyrene resins

The Basic Plastics segment also includes the results of Equipolymers and a portion of the results of EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C. and the Siam Group, all joint ventures of the Company.

BASIC CHEMICALS

Applications: agricultural products • alumina • automotive antifreeze and coolant systems • carpet and textiles • chemical processing • dry cleaning • dust control • household cleaners and plastic products • inks • metal cleaning • packaging, food and beverage containers, protective packaging • paints, coatings and adhesives • personal care products • petroleum refining • pharmaceuticals • plastic pipe • pulp and paper manufacturing • snow and ice control • soaps and detergents • water treatment

The Core Chemicals business is a leading global producer of each of its basic chemical products, which are sold to many industries worldwide, and also serve as key raw materials in the production of a variety of Dow’s performance and plastics products.

· Products: Acids; Alcohols; Aldehydes; Caustic soda; Chlorine; Chloroform; COMBOTHERM™ blended deicer; DOWFLAKE™ calcium chloride; DOWPER™ dry cleaning solvent; Esters; Ethylene dichloride (EDC); LIQUIDOW™ liquid calcium chloride; MAXICHECK™ procedure for testing the strength of reagents; MAXISTAB™ stabilizers for chlorinated solvents; Methyl chloride; Methylene chloride; Monochloroacetic acid (MCAA); Oxo products; PELADOW™ calcium chloride pellets; Perchloroethylene; Trichloroethylene; Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM); Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM); Vinylidene chloride (VDC)

The Ethylene Oxide/Ethylene Glycol business is a key supplier of ethylene glycol to MEGlobal, a 50:50 joint venture and a world leader in the manufacture and marketing of merchant monoethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. Dow also supplies ethylene oxide to internal derivatives businesses. Ethylene glycol is used in polyester fiber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for food and beverage container applications, polyester film and antifreeze.

· Products: Ethylene glycol (EG); Ethylene oxide (EO)

The Basic Chemicals segment also includes the results of MEGlobal and a portion of the results of EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C. and the OPTIMAL Group, all joint ventures of the Company.

HYDROCARBONS AND ENERGY

Applications: polymer and chemical production • power

The Hydrocarbons and Energy business encompasses the procurement of fuels, natural gas liquids and crude oil-based raw materials, as well as the supply of monomers, power and steam principally for use in Dow’s global operations. The business regularly sells its byproducts; the business also buys and sells products in order to balance regional production capabilities and derivative requirements. The business also sells products to certain Dow joint ventures. Dow is the world leader in the production of olefins and aromatics.

· Products: Benzene; Butadiene; Butylene; Cumene; Ethylene; Propylene; Styrene; Power, steam and other utilities

The Hydrocarbons and Energy segment also includes the results of Compañía Mega S.A. and a portion of the results of the Siam Group, both joint ventures of the Company.

Unallocated and Other includes the results of New Ventures (which includes new business incubation platforms focused on identifying and pursuing new commercial opportunities); Venture Capital; the Company’s insurance operations and environmental operations; and overhead and other cost recovery variances not allocated to the operating segments.

Operating Segments In millions	Three Months Ended
Operating Segments In millions	March 31, 2007			March 31, 2006
Sales by operating segment
Performance Plastics	$	3,529		$	3,493
Performance Chemicals	2,002			1,886
Agricultural Sciences	1,036			961
Basic Plastics	2,894			2,797
Basic Chemicals	1,271			1,368
Hydrocarbons and Energy	1,612			1,420
Unallocated and Other	88			95
Total	$	12,432		$	12,020
EBIT (1) by operating segment
Performance Plastics	$	441		$	726
Performance Chemicals	312			301
Agricultural Sciences	282			216
Basic Plastics	527			476
Basic Chemicals	134			154
Hydrocarbons and Energy	—			(2		)
Unallocated and Other	(257		)	(134		)
Total	$	1,439		$	1,737
Equity in earnings (losses) of nonconsolidated affiliates by operating segment (included in EBIT)
Performance Plastics	$	26		$	21
Performance Chemicals	105			69
Basic Plastics	54			26
Basic Chemicals	75			28
Hydrocarbons and Energy	15			22
Unallocated and Other	(1		)	2
Total	$	274		$	168

(1) The Company uses EBIT (which Dow defines as earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes and minority interests) as its measure of profit/loss for segment reporting purposes. EBIT by operating segment includes all operating items relating to the businesses; items that principally apply to the Company as a whole are assigned to Unallocated and Other. A reconciliation of EBIT to “Net Income Available for Common Stockholders” is provided below:

	Three Months Ended
In millions	March 31, 2007		March 31, 2006
EBIT	$	1,439	$	1,737
+ Interest income	40		42
- Interest expense and amortization of debt discount	146		156
- Provision for income taxes	335		384
- Minority interests’ share in income	25		25
Net Income Available for Common Stockholders	$	973	$	1,214

Transfers of products between operating segments are generally valued at cost. However, transfers of products to Agricultural Sciences from other segments are generally valued at market-based prices; the revenues generated by these transfers in the first quarters of 2007 and 2006 were immaterial and eliminated in consolidation.

Geographic Areas	Three Months Ended
In millions	March 31, 2007		March 31, 2006
Sales by geographic area
United States	$	4,109	$	4,735
Europe	5,013		4,247
Rest of World	3,310		3,038
Total	$	12,432	$	12,020

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and

Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries (“Dow” or the “Company”). This section covers the current performance and outlook of the Company and each of its operating segments. The forward-looking statements contained in this section and in other parts of this document involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company’s operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as more fully discussed elsewhere and in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company’s expectations will be realized. The Company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

OVERVIEW

· The Company delivered solid results in the first quarter of 2007 with record first quarter sales of $12.4 billion — just below Dow’s quarterly record of $12.5 billion achieved in the second quarter of 2006.

· The results for the first quarter of 2007 demonstrated, once again, the value of the Company’s balanced portfolio, as weakness in North America was more than offset by growth in the rest of the world, and as improvement in the results of some of the Company’s operating segments mitigated declines in others.

· Dow’s plants ran well during the quarter, delivering an operating rate of 87 percent of capacity.

· Feedstock and energy costs, which account for almost half of Dow’s total costs, declined approximately $90 million (approximately 2 percent) from the first quarter of 2006. This was just the second year-over-year reduction in these costs since the second quarter of 2002.

· Operating expenses rose during the first quarter of 2007, but remained low as a percent of total sales as Dow continued the disciplined implementation of its growth strategy.

· Continuing the trend of recent years, Dow’s nonconsolidated affiliates contributed significantly to the overall results of the Company.

· Capital spending was on target; debt as a percent of total capitalization was unchanged from year-end 2006; and the Company continued to purchase shares under its share repurchase programs.

Selected Financial Data In millions, except per share amounts	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2007			March 31, 2006
Net sales	$	12,432		$	12,020

Cost of sales	$	10,605		$	9,803
Percent of net sales	85.3		%	81.6		%

Research and development, and selling, general and administrative expenses	$	720		$	666
Percent of net sales	5.8		%	5.5		%

Effective tax rate	25.1		%	23.7		%

Net income available for common stockholders	$	973		$	1,214

Earnings per common share — basic	$	1.01		$	1.25
Earnings per common share — diluted	$	1.00		$	1.24

Operating rate percentage	87		%	84		%

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net sales for the first quarter of 2007 were $12.4 billion, up 3 percent from $12.0 billion in the first quarter of last year. Compared with the same quarter of 2006, prices rose 2 percent, and volume increased 1 percent. Prices improved in all operating segments, except Basic Chemicals, led by a 6 percent improvement in prices in Performance Plastics and Hydrocarbons and Energy and a 3 percent improvement in Performance Chemicals. Prices were up 1 percent in Agricultural Sciences and Basic Plastics, while Basic Chemicals reported a decline in prices of 4 percent. From a geographic standpoint, price declines in North America were more than offset by higher prices in all other geographic areas, with the most significant increases reported in Europe (where currency accounted for approximately two-thirds of the increase) and Asia Pacific. Compared with the first quarter of last year, the change in volume by operating segment

was mixed, with declines in Performance Plastics (due to significant technology licensing revenue in the first quarter of last year) and Basic Chemicals, offset by increases in the other operating segments. Volume was particularly strong in Agricultural Sciences (up 7 percent) and Hydrocarbons and Energy (up 8 percent). By geographic area, volume growth in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe offset declines in North America related to significantly lower technology licensing revenue and softness in residential construction and the automotive industry. For additional details regarding the change in net sales, see the Sales Volume and Price table at the end of the section entitled “Segment Results.”

Gross margin was $1.8 billion for the first quarter of 2007, down from $2.2 billion in the first quarter of last year. Despite higher sales and lower hydrocarbon and energy (“H&E”) costs of approximately $90 million, gross margin declined versus the first quarter of last year due to lower technology licensing revenue, higher non-H&E raw material costs, the unfavorable impact of currency on cost, lower H&E hedging results and increased freight costs.

The Company’s global plant operating rate (for its chemicals and plastics businesses) was 87 percent in the first quarter of 2007, up from 84 percent in the first quarter of 2006. The Company’s operating rate for the first quarter of last year reflected the impact of planned maintenance turnarounds at several of Dow’s manufacturing facilities.

Personnel count was 42,755 at March 31 2007, up from 42,578 at December 31, 2006 and 42,247 at March 31, 2006. Headcount increased from year-end 2006 due to the addition of research and development employees in India and China in support of the Company’s growth initiatives and the addition of temporary (seasonal) employees within Agricultural Sciences. Compared with the first quarter of 2006, headcount increased principally due to the addition of approximately 550 employees associated with the third quarter of 2006 acquisition of Zhejiang Omex Environmental Engineering Co. LTD. Headcount is expected to decline over the next few years, due to the shutdown of several manufacturing facilities around the world. See Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding shutdowns announced in the third quarter of 2006.

Operating expenses (research and development, and selling, general and administrative expenses) totaled $720 million in the first quarter of 2007, up $54 million or 8 percent, from $666 million in the first quarter of last year. Compared with last year, research and development (“R&D”) expenses increased $24 million, and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased $30 million. Approximately 75 percent of the increase in operating expenses was related to planned spending for growth initiatives and product development in the Performance businesses, consistent with the Company’s strategy. Despite these increases, operating expenses remained low as a percentage of net sales.

Amortization of intangibles was $11 million in the first quarter of 2007, down slightly from $12 million in the first quarter of last year. See Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on intangible assets.

Dow’s share of the earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates was $274 million in the first quarter of 2007, compared with $168 million in the first quarter of last year. Compared with the same quarter of last year, earnings improved at the OPTIMAL Group (“OPTIMAL”); Dow Corning Corporation (“Dow Corning”); Siam Polyethylene Company Limited (“Siam Polyethylene”); EQUATE Petrochemical Company K.S.C. (“EQUATE”); and Univation Technologies, LLC. Results from OPTIMAL and EQUATE were lower in the first quarter of last year due to planned maintenance turnarounds at those joint ventures.

Sundry income — net includes a variety of income and expense items such as the gain or loss on foreign currency exchange, dividends from investments, and gains and losses on sales of investments and assets. Sundry income — net for the first quarter of 2007 was $69 million, compared with $30 million in the same quarter of 2006, and reflected the impact of small gains on the sale of assets and favorable foreign exchange hedging results.

Net interest expense (interest expense less capitalized interest and interest income) was $106 million in the first quarter of 2007, compared with $114 million in the first quarter of last year. Compared with last year, net interest expense was down principally due to lower interest expense, reflecting a significant reduction in total debt.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2007 was 25.1 percent, versus 23.7 percent for the first quarter of 2006. The Company’s effective tax rate fluctuates based on, among other factors, where income is earned and the level of income relative to tax credits available. The tax rate for the first quarter of 2006 was favorably impacted by the closure of tax audit issues in the United States.

Net income available for common stockholders was $973 million or $1.00 per share for the first quarter of 2007, compared with $1,214 million or $1.24 per share for the first quarter of 2006.

SEGMENT RESULTS

The Company uses EBIT (which Dow defines as earnings before interest, income taxes and minority interests) as its measure of profit/loss for segment reporting purposes. EBIT by operating segment includes all operating items relating to the businesses; items that principally apply to the Company as a whole are assigned to Unallocated. See Note J to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of EBIT to “Net Income Available for Common Stockholders.”

PERFORMANCE PLASTICS

Performance Plastics sales were $3,529 million for the first quarter of 2007, up 1 percent from $3,493 million in the first quarter of 2006. Prices increased 6 percent, including a 3 percent favorable currency impact, while volume declined 5 percent. The decline in volume was due to significant technology lump sum licensing revenue in the first quarter of 2006 which did not recur in the first quarter of 2007. EBIT for the segment totaled $441 million in the first quarter, down from $726 million in the same period of last year. The decline in EBIT was driven by lower technology licensing revenue, coupled with higher raw material costs and increased spending related to growth initiatives and product development.

Dow Automotive sales for the first quarter of 2007 were up 8 percent from a year ago. Compared with the first quarter of 2006, volume improved 4 percent despite weakness in the North American automotive industry, as solid volume gains in all other geographic areas more than compensated for the decline in North America. Prices were up in Europe, due to the favorable impact of currency, and stable versus the same quarter of last year in all other geographic areas. Despite the increase in sales, EBIT for the business declined from the first quarter of last year principally due to higher raw material costs.

Dow Building Solutions sales for the first quarter of 2007 improved 6 percent versus the same quarter of last year as prices, including the favorable impact of currency, rose 7 percent and volume declined 1 percent. Continued softness in the U.S. residential construction industry was offset by growth in all other geographic areas and particular strength in Europe where mild winter weather contributed to an early start to the building season. Compared with the first quarter of last year, EBIT declined due to higher raw material costs and increased spending on new product development and growth initiatives.

Dow Epoxy sales for the first quarter were up 21 percent from the first quarter of 2006 driven by a 17 percent improvement in price and a 4 percent increase in volume. Strength in pricing was broad-based with double-digit increases recorded in all geographic areas. Volume growth was also widespread as demand remained strong for coatings, adhesives and civil engineering applications. Despite rising raw material costs, EBIT improved significantly versus in the first quarter of last year due to the improvement in sales.

Polyurethanes and Polyurethane Systems sales for the quarter were up 9 percent from the first quarter of 2006. Volume was up 5 percent, while prices increased 4 percent (largely due to the favorable impact of currency). Volume was strong across the business’ product portfolio with particular strength in Polyurethane Systems, especially in Europe. Increasing tightness in industry supply/demand balances enabled limited price improvement versus the same period last year. Despite higher sales, EBIT was down from the first quarter of 2006 due to higher raw material costs and an increase in research and development expenses.

Specialty Plastics and Elastomers achieved a new quarterly sales record in the first quarter of 2007, as sales improved 10 percent versus the first quarter of 2006, with 6 percent volume growth and a 4 percent increase in prices (largely due to the favorable impact of currency). Overall business conditions were solid with particular strength noted in the developing regions of Eastern Europe, China and Brazil, where infrastructure continues to expand and demand for Specialty Plastics and Elastomers products remains strong. Record level EBIT was also achieved by the business in the first quarter of 2007, as the improvement in sales more than offset the impact of higher raw material costs and increased operating expenses.

Technology Licensing and Catalyst sales vary from period to period due to the nature of the business. Sales for the first quarter of 2007 were down significantly due to lump sum technology licensing revenue in the first quarter of 2006. The decline in revenue also resulted in a significant decline in EBIT for the business.

PERFORMANCE CHEMICALS

Performance Chemicals sales were $2,002 million for the first quarter of 2007, up 6 percent from $1,886 million in the first quarter of last year. Compared with last year, prices were up 3 percent, principally due to the favorable impact of currency in Europe, while volume increased 3 percent over the strong levels of the same quarter of 2006. EBIT for the first quarter was $312 million, up from $301 million in the first quarter of 2006, as the increase in sales and higher equity earnings from Dow Corning more than offset increases in raw material costs and operating expenses.

Designed Polymers sales for the first quarter of 2007 were up 13 percent from the same quarter last year on an 11 percent improvement in volume. Volume was strong in all geographic areas and across product lines with gains in biocides, Dow Water Solutions, and Specialty Polymers. Compared with the first quarter of last year, EBIT declined slightly as higher raw material costs and operating expenses offset the increase in volume. On December 18, 2006, Dow and the Bayer Group announced that Dow will acquire Bayer’s Wolff Walsrode business group, subject to regulatory approval. The approval process continued through the first quarter of 2007.

Dow Latex sales for the quarter were down 1 percent from the first quarter of 2006, as a 7 percent increase in prices (approximately half due to currency in Europe) was offset by an 8 percent decline in volume. Volume was down in all geographic areas, except Latin America where volume was strong across the various latex offerings. Demand for coated paper continued to be soft as alternatives, such as lightweight paper and Internet communication, gain popularity. Demand for carpet and architectural coatings was also lower, due to softness in the North American housing industry. EBIT declined significantly from last year due to the decline in sales, lower operating rates and increased raw material costs.

Specialty Chemicals sales were up 8 percent versus the first quarter of 2006, principally due to an increase in volume. Volume was especially strong in Europe and Asia Pacific and across most business units within Specialty Chemicals. EBIT was up from last year as the increase in sales and higher equity earnings from OPTIMAL more than offset higher raw material costs.

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Sales for the Agricultural Sciences segment were $1,036 million in the first quarter of 2007, up 8 percent from $961 million in the first quarter of last year, with a 7 percent increase in volume and a 1 percent increase in price (reflecting the favorable impact of currency in Europe). Volume was especially strong in Europe for cereals and oil seed rape herbicides due to an early spring and higher commodity prices for crops, which resulted in an increase in acreage planted. Brazil also reported significant volume growth versus the same period last year due to improved economic conditions for farmers. In the United States, volume was down due to a delayed spring season. Strong sales of new products — penoxsulam rice herbicide and aminopyralid herbicide for range and pasture — further supported the increase in volume. EBIT for the first quarter of 2007 was $282 million, up from $216 million in the first quarter of 2006, due to the increase in sales, favorable product mix and lower operating expenses.

BASIC PLASTICS

Basic Plastics sales for the first quarter of 2007 were $2,894 million, up 3 percent from $2,797 million in the first quarter of last year. Compared with the first quarter of 2006, volume improved 2 percent and prices rose 1 percent, as the favorable impact of currency in Europe offset declines in price. EBIT for the first quarter was $527 million, up from $476 million in the first quarter of 2006. EBIT improved due to the increase in sales, as well as lower feedstock and energy costs and higher equity earnings from EQUATE, Siam Polyethylene, and Equipolymers.

Polyethylene sales were up 1 percent from the first quarter of 2006, as volume growth of 4 percent was offset by a 3 percent decline in prices. Compared with the first quarter of last year, volume improved in all geographic areas as customers began to replenish inventories that were depleted during the third and fourth quarters of 2006 when customers delayed purchases in anticipation of lower prices due to declining feedstock costs. Prices were down 3 percent from the first quarter of last year, as price increases outside of North America were more than offset by double-digit price declines in North America versus the higher prices of a year ago following the hurricanes. EBIT for the business improved significantly from 2006 as lower feedstock and energy costs and improved equity earnings from EQUATE and Siam Polyethylene — both of which had planned maintenance turnarounds in the first quarter of 2006 — more than offset the decline in prices.

Polypropylene sales were down 5 percent from the first quarter of 2006 as volume declined 9 percent and prices rose 4 percent due to the impact of currency in Europe. Compared with the first quarter of last year, volume in the United States was up almost 6 percent from last year’s very low level. While industry demand remained strong in Europe, tight propylene supply and the sale of the Company’s Safripol business in South Africa resulted in significantly lower volumes. EBIT declined from the first quarter of 2006, principally due to lower sales and higher feedstock and energy costs.

Polystyrene sales for the first quarter of 2007 were up 23 percent, as prices rose 18 percent and volume increased 5 percent. Prices were significantly higher in all geographic areas due to rising feedstock and energy costs. Compared with the first quarter of last year, the improvement in volume was primarily due to the consolidation of the SAL Petrochemical (Zhangjiagang) Company Limited, after the Company acquired the remaining 50 percent interest in this joint venture in the first quarter of 2007. In North America, volume was down from the same period last year, reflecting the closure of the Company’s polystyrene manufacturing facility at Sarnia, Ontario, Canada in the fourth quarter of 2006. In Europe, volume improved due to asset shutdowns within the industry during 2006 and continued strong demand in Eastern Europe. EBIT for the first quarter of 2007 improved as the higher selling prices negated a significant increase in feedstock and energy costs.

BASIC CHEMICALS

First quarter of 2007 sales for the Basic Chemicals segment were $1,271 million, down 7 percent from $1,368 million in the first quarter of last year. Prices declined 4 percent versus the first quarter of last year due to lower vinyl chloride monomer prices, a result of reduced demand in the polyvinyl chloride industry, as well as an increase in global supply. Caustic soda prices were also down in the first quarter versus the very high levels of a year ago, which were the result of lingering effects of the U.S. Gulf Coast hurricanes. Volume decreased 3 percent versus the first quarter of last year, primarily due to lower sales of ethylene glycol related to maintenance outages in Seadrift, Texas, and Taft, Louisiana, as well as the restructuring of certain sales agreements in the Ethylene Oxide / Ethylene Glycol business. Volume was also impacted by the shutdown of the Company’s chlor-alkali facilities in Canada in the third quarter of last year. Solvents and Intermediates reported significant improvement in both price and volume outside North America, reflecting solid demand for coatings applications. EBIT for the first quarter of 2007 was $134 million, down from $154 million in the same quarter of 2006. Compared with last year, EBIT declined as the impact of lower selling prices more than offset the benefit of lower feedstock and energy costs and higher equity earnings from EQUATE, OPTIMAL and MEGlobal.

HYDROCARBONS AND ENERGY

Hydrocarbons and Energy sales for the first quarter of 2007 were $1,612 million, up 14 percent from $1,420 million in the first quarter of last year, with an 8 percent improvement in volume and a 6 percent increase in prices (including the favorable impact of currency in Europe, which accounted for approximately half of the increase in price). Compared with the first quarter of 2006, prices rose for certain derivative products and, as a result, the business increased sales of those products, more than offsetting a decline in sales of refinery products.

Overall, purchased feedstock and energy costs declined almost 2 percent, compared with the same period of last year. This is only the second year-over-year reduction in purchased feedstock and energy costs since the second quarter of 2002.

The Hydrocarbons and Energy business transfers materials to Dow’s derivatives businesses at cost. As a result, EBIT for this operating segment was at or near breakeven for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.

UNALLOCATED AND OTHER

Sales for Unallocated and Other, which primarily relate to the Company’s insurance operations, were $88 million in the first quarter of 2007, down from $95 million in the same period of 2006.

Included in the results for Unallocated and Other are:

· results of insurance operations,

· gains and losses on sales of financial assets,

· stock-based compensation expense,

· changes in the allowance for doubtful receivables,

· expenses related to New Ventures,

· asbestos-related defense and resolution costs,

· foreign exchange hedging results, and

· overhead and other cost recovery variances not allocated to the operating segments.

EBIT for the first quarter of 2007 was a loss of $257 million, compared with a loss of $134 million for the first quarter of 2006. Compared with the same quarter of last year, EBIT for the first quarter of 2007 reflected higher performance-based compensation expense (including stock-based compensation) of $55 million and the impact of approximately $40 million in tax contingencies related to franchise taxes.

Sales Volume and Price by Operating Segment and Geographic Area

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
Percentage change from prior year	Volume		Price		Total
Operating segments
Performance Plastics	(5	)%	6	%	1	%
Performance Chemicals	3		3		6
Agricultural Sciences	7		1		8
Basic Plastics	2		1		3
Basic Chemicals	(3	)	(4	)	(7	)
Hydrocarbons and Energy	8		6		14
Total	1	%	2	%	3	%
Geographic area sales
United States	(7	)%	(6	)%	(13	)%
Europe	7		11		18
Rest of World	6		3		9
Total	1	%	2	%	3	%

OUTLOOK

Overall global GDP growth is expected to be quite healthy in 2007, above 3 percent. The United States is expected to show slower growth than in 2006, principally because of weakness in residential construction and the automotive industry, although growth may improve later in the year as these industries stabilize. Growth in Europe is expected to be solid, with stronger growth in the emerging regions. Steady growth is expected to continue in Japan, while China will again post very high growth.

The outlook for the chemical industry remains positive, as continued global GDP growth drives higher demand for the chemical industry, especially in China and other emerging regions of the world. With supply growth limited, industry supply and demand should remain balanced, particularly in the ethylene chain. The chlor-alkali industry continues at or above cycle-average margins globally, but will likely decline during the year, impacted by capacity additions in late 2007.

Continued volatility in feedstock and energy costs adds uncertainty to the profit outlook. Oil and natural gas are expected to remain volatile, with that volatility accentuated by geopolitical uncertainties, particularly for oil. Based on market projections, Brent crude is expected to trade in the high $60 per barrel range in 2007, while U.S. natural gas is expected to range between $7.50 and $8.00 per MMBtu through the fall, rising above $8.00 in the winter months.

With the surge in feedstock costs that began mid-way through the first quarter of 2007, Dow’s purchased feedstock and energy costs are expected to increase several hundred million dollars in the second quarter over the first quarter.

While many of the Company’s businesses have positive price momentum going into the second quarter, it is too soon to tell if the price increases will be sufficient to fully offset the higher raw material costs. Given the strength of the global economy, solid year-over-year volume growth is expected for most of Dow’s businesses, although weakness in North American housing and automotive industries and slower consumer spending may continue to present challenges.

An excellent year is expected for Agricultural Sciences, although second quarter results will likely be dampened by the accelerated planting schedule in the first quarter, which resulted in very strong volumes, particularly in Europe.

Second quarter is typically the middle of the season for planned maintenance turnarounds. As a result, turnaround costs are expected to be significantly higher in the second quarter than in first quarter of this year and higher than in the second quarter of last year.

Overall, the results for the first quarter of 2007 reinforce the Company’s view that 2007 will be another solid year for Dow and that its strategy will continue to maximize shareholder value for the long term.

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, are summarized in the following table:

Cash Flow Summary	Three Months Ended
In millions	March 31, 2007			March 31, 2006
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	536		$	699
Investing activities	(290		)	(444		)
Financing activities	(619		)	(674		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(7		)	2
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	$	(380	)	$	(417	)

Cash provided by operating activities decreased in the first three months of 2007 compared with the same period last year due primarily to lower earnings.

Cash used in investing activities in the first three months of 2007 declined compared with the same period last year as cash used for investing activities in the first quarter of 2006 included $100 million for the purchase of previously leased assets. In addition, cash used in investing activities in the first quarter of 2007 reflected proceeds of $30 million from the sale of a nonconsolidated affiliate.

Cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2007 decreased compared with the same period last year due to lower payments on long-term debt and higher proceeds from sales of common stock (related to the exercise of stock options and the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan), which more than offset increases in purchases of treasury stock (related to share repurchase programs) and dividends paid to shareholders.

On August 29, 2006, the Board of Directors approved a plan to shut down a number of the Company’s manufacturing facilities. The shutdowns are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008, resulting in cash expenditures of approximately $240 million over the next few years related to severance costs, contract termination fees, asbestos abatement and environmental remediation (see Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Dow expects to incur future costs related to its restructuring activities, as the Company continually looks for ways to enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its operations, to ensure competitiveness across its businesses and across geographic areas. Future costs are expected to include demolition costs related to the closed facilities, which will be recognized as incurred. The Company also expects to incur additional employee-related costs, including involuntary termination benefits, related to its other optimization activities, and pension plan settlement costs. These costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

The following tables present working capital, total debt and certain balance sheet ratios:

Working Capital In millions	March 31, 2007		Dec. 31, 2006
Current assets	$	17,824	$	17,209
Current liabilities	10,905		10,601
Working capital	$	6,919	$	6,608
Current ratio	1.63:1		1.62:1
Days-sales-outstanding-in-receivables	39		39
Days-sales-in-inventory	61		63

Total Debt In millions	March 31, 2007			Dec. 31, 2006
Notes payable	$	307		$	219
Long-term debt due within one year	1,367			1,291
Long-term debt	7,975			8,036
Total debt	$	9,649		$	9,546
Debt as a percent of total capitalization	34.0		%	34.1		%

As part of its ongoing financing activities, Dow has the ability to issue promissory notes under its U.S. and Euromarket commercial paper programs. At March 31, 2007, there were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding. In the event Dow has short-term liquidity needs and is unable to access these short-term markets for any reason, Dow has the ability to access liquidity through its committed and available $3 billion 5-year revolving credit facility with various U.S. and foreign banks. This credit facility matures in April 2011.

At March 31, 2007, the Company had $3.5 billion of SEC-registered securities available for issuance under U.S. shelf registrations, Euro 1.5 billion (approximately $2.0 billion) available for issuance under the Company’s Euro Medium Term Note Program, as well as Japanese yen 50 billion (approximately $424 million) of securities available for issuance under a shelf registration filed with the Tokyo Stock Exchange on August 8, 2006. In addition, as a well-known seasoned issuer, the Company filed an automatic shelf registration for an unspecified amount of mixed securities with the SEC on February 23, 2007. Under this shelf registration, the Company may offer common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units.

Dow’s public debt instruments and documents for its private funding transactions contain, among other provisions, certain covenants and default provisions. At March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all of these covenants and default provisions.

On July 14, 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 25 million shares of Dow common stock over the period ending on December 31, 2007 (the “2005 Program”). During the first quarter of 2007, the Company purchased 6,201,593 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2005 Program, bringing the program to a close. On October 26, 2006, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a new share buy-back program, authorizing up to $2 billion to be spent on the repurchase of the Company’s common stock (the “2006 Program”). Purchases under the 2006 Program began in March 2007, following the completion of the 2005 Program. During March 2007, the Company purchased 3,071,007 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2006 Program. See PART II, Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds for additional information.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes in the Company’s contractual obligations or commercial commitments since December 31, 2006.

The Company also had outstanding guarantees at March 31, 2007. Additional information related to these guarantees can be found in the “Guarantees” table provided in Note F to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends

On February 15, 2007, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share, payable on April 30, 2007, to stockholders of record on March 30, 2007. Since 1912, the Company has paid a cash dividend every quarter and, in each instance, Dow has maintained or increased the amount of the dividend, adjusted for stock splits. During that 95-year period, Dow has increased the amount of the quarterly dividend 46 times (approximately 12 percent of the time) and maintained the amount of the quarterly dividend approximately 88 percent of the time.

On April 26, 2007, the Board of Directors announced a 12 percent increase in future dividends of the Company, raising the quarterly dividend from $0.375 per share to $0.42 per share. Payment of the first quarter dividend on April 30, 2007 will remain at the current rate of $0.375 per share. Future dividends will be at the higher rate.

OTHER MATTERS

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of recent accounting pronouncements.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (“2006 10-K”) describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Dow’s critical accounting policies that are impacted by judgments, assumptions and estimates are described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s 2006 10-K. Since December 31, 2006, there have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies.

Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation

Introduction

The table below provides information regarding asbestos-related claims filed against Union Carbide and Amchem:

	2007		2006
Claims unresolved at January 1	111,887		146,325
Claims filed	3,085		5,402
Claims settled, dismissed or otherwise resolved	(2,225	)	(7,921	)
Claims unresolved at March 31	112,747		143,806
Claimants with claims against both UCC and Amchem	38,901		47,779
Individual claimants at March 31	73,846		96,027

Plaintiffs’ lawyers often sue dozens or even hundreds of defendants in individual lawsuits on behalf of hundreds or even thousands of claimants. As a result, the damages alleged are not expressly identified as to Union Carbide, Amchem or any other particular defendant, even when specific damages are alleged with respect to a specific disease or injury. In fact, there are no personal injury cases in which only Union Carbide and/or Amchem are the sole named defendants. For these reasons and based upon Union Carbide’s litigation and settlement experience, Union Carbide does not consider the damages alleged against Union Carbide and Amchem to be a meaningful factor in its determination of any potential asbestos liability.

Estimating the Liability

In November 2005, Union Carbide requested ARPC to review Union Carbide’s 2005 asbestos claim and resolution activity and determine the appropriateness of updating its January 2005 study. In response to that request, ARPC reviewed and analyzed data through October 31, 2005. In January 2006, ARPC stated that an update of its study would not provide a more likely estimate of future events than the estimate reflected in its study of the previous year and, therefore, the estimate in that study remained applicable. Based on Union Carbide’s own review of the asbestos claim and resolution activity and ARPC’s response, Union Carbide determined that no change to the accrual was required. At December 31, 2006, Union Carbide’s asbestos-related liability for pending and future claims was $1.5 billion.

Defense and Resolution Costs

The following table provides information regarding defense and resolution costs related to asbestos-related claims filed against Union Carbide and Amchem:

Defense and Resolution Costs	Three Months Ended				Aggregate Costs
In millions	March 31, 2007		March 31, 2006		to Date as of March 31, 2007
Defense costs	$	17	$	14	$	498
Resolution costs	$	16	$	27	$	1,198

The average resolution payment per asbestos claimant and the rate of new claim filings has fluctuated both up and down since the beginning of 2001. Union Carbide’s management expects such fluctuations to continue in the future based upon a number of factors, including the number and type of claims settled in a particular period, the jurisdictions in which such claims arose, and the extent to which any proposed legislative reform related to asbestos litigation is being considered.

Insurance Receivables

Receivables for Costs Submitted to Insurance Carriers
In millions	March 31, 2007		Dec. 31, 2006
Receivables for defense costs	$	35	$	34
Receivables for resolution costs	265		266
Total	$	300	$	300

Summary

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Dow’s business operations give rise to market risk exposure due to changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, commodity prices and other market factors such as equity prices. To manage such risks effectively, the Company enters into hedging transactions, pursuant to established guidelines and policies, which enable it to mitigate the adverse effects of financial market risk. Derivatives used for this purpose are designated as hedges per SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” where appropriate. A secondary objective is to add value by creating additional non-specific exposure within established limits and policies; derivatives used for this purpose are not designated as hedges per SFAS No. 133. The potential impact of creating such additional exposures is not material to the Company’s results.

The global nature of Dow’s business requires active participation in the foreign exchange markets. As a result of investments, production facilities and other operations on a global basis, the Company has assets, liabilities and cash flows in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign exchange risk management is to optimize the U.S. dollar value of net assets and cash flows, keeping the adverse impact of currency movements to a minimum. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges on a net exposure basis using foreign currency forward contracts, over-the-counter option contracts, cross-currency swaps, and nonderivative instruments in foreign currencies. Main exposures are related to assets and liabilities denominated in the currencies of Europe, Asia Pacific and Canada; bonds denominated in foreign currencies — mainly the Euro; and economic exposure derived from the risk that currency fluctuations could affect the U.S. dollar value of future cash flows. The majority of the foreign exchange exposure is related to European currencies and the Japanese yen.

The main objective of interest rate risk management is to reduce the total funding cost to the Company and to alter the interest rate exposure to the desired risk profile. Dow uses interest rate swaps, “swaptions,” and exchange-traded instruments to accomplish this objective. The Company’s primary exposure is to the U.S. dollar yield curve.

Dow has a portfolio of equity securities derived from its acquisition and divestiture activity. This exposure is managed in a manner consistent with the Company’s market risk policies and procedures.

Inherent in Dow’s business is exposure to price changes for several commodities. Some exposures can be hedged effectively through liquid tradable financial instruments. Feedstocks for ethylene production and natural gas constitute the main commodity exposures. Over-the-counter and exchange traded instruments are used to hedge these risks when feasible.

Dow uses value at risk (“VAR”), stress testing and scenario analysis for risk measurement and control purposes. VAR estimates the potential gain or loss in fair market values, given a certain move in prices over a certain period of time, using specified confidence levels. On an ongoing basis, the Company estimates the maximum gain or loss that could arise in one day, given a two-standard-deviation movement in the respective price levels. These amounts are relatively insignificant in comparison to the size of the equity of the Company. The VAR methodology used by Dow is based primarily on a variance/covariance statistical model. The year-end VAR and average daily VAR for the aggregate of non-trading and trading positions for 2006 and 2005 are shown below:

Total Daily VAR at December 31*	2006				2005
In millions	Year-end		Average		Year-end		Average
Foreign exchange	$	3	$	4	$	3	$	6
Interest rate	$	34	$	43	$	55	$	65
Equity exposures, net of hedges	$	9	$	3	$	2	$	2
Commodities	$	14	$	19	$	23	$	21

*Using a 95 percent confidence level

Since December 31, 2006, there have been no material changes in the Company’s risk management policies. The Company’s daily VAR for the aggregate of trading and non-trading positions declined from a total VAR of $60 million at December 31, 2006 to a total of $45 million at March 31, 2007. The decline related to a decrease in the interest rate VAR from $34 million to $24 million (principally due to a reduction in net interest rate exposures), and a decrease in the commodities VAR from $14 million to $4 million, due to a reduction in commodities hedges.

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Disclosure Committee and the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that was conducted during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation

No material developments regarding this matter occurred during the first quarter of 2007. For a summary of the history and current status of this matter, see Note F to the Consolidated Financial Statements; and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Asbestos-Related Matters of Union Carbide Corporation.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

There were no material changes in the Company’s risk factors in the first quarter of 2007.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

The following tables provide information regarding purchases of the Company’s common stock by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2007:

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Under 2005 Program (1)				Total number of	Maximum number of
Period	Total number of shares purchased (2)	Average price paid per share		shares purchased as part of the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program	shares that may yet be purchased under the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program
January 2007	3,772	$	40.99	—	6,201,593
February 2007	958,714	$	43.24	912,700	5,288,893
March 2007	5,291,855	$	43.46	5,288,893	0
First quarter 2007	6,254,341	$	43.42	6,201,593	0

(1) On July 14, 2005, the Company publicly announced that the Board of Directors had authorized on that day the repurchase of up to 25 million shares of Dow common stock over the period ending on December 31, 2007. Prior to that authorization (and since August 3, 1999 when the Board of Directors terminated its 1997 authorization which allowed the Company to repurchase shares of Dow common stock), the only shares purchased by the Company were those shares received from employees and non-employee directors to pay taxes owed to the Company as a result of the exercise of stock options or the delivery of deferred stock.

(2) Includes 52,748 shares received from employees and non-employee directors to pay taxes owed to the Company as a result of the exercise of stock options or the delivery of deferred stock.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Under 2006 Program (1)					Approximate dollar
Period	Total number of shares purchased	Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program	value of shares that may yet be purchased under the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program
January 2007	—	—		—	$	2,000,000,000
February 2007	—	—		—	$	2,000,000,000
March 2007	3,071,007	$	45.99	3,071,007	$	1,858,764,095
First quarter 2007	3,071,007	$	45.99	3,071,007	$	1,858,764,095

(1) On October 26, 2006, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had approved a new share buy-back program, authorizing up to $2 billion to be spent on the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. Purchases under the new program began in March 2007, following the completion of the 2005 program.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

See the Exhibit Index on page 38 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for exhibits filed with this report.

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries
Trademark Listing

The following trademarks or service marks of The Dow Chemical Company and certain affiliated companies of Dow appear in this report: AFFINITY, AMBITROL, AMPLIFY, ASPUN, ATTANE, BETABRACE, BETADAMP, BETAFOAM, BETAGUARD, BETAMATE, BETASEAL, CALIBRE, CARBITOL, CARBOWAX, CELLOSIZE, CELLOSOLVE, COMBOTHERM, CONTINUUM, CYCLOTENE, CYRACURE, D.E.H., D.E.N., D.E.R., DOW, DOW XLA, DOWCAL, DOWEX, DOWEX QCAT, DOWFAX, DOWFLAKE, DOWFROST, DOWLEX, DOWPER, DOWTHERM, ELITE, EMERGE, ENFORCER, ENGAGE, ENHANCER, EQUIFOAM, ETHAFOAM, ETHOCEL, EVOCAR, FILMTEC, FLEXOL, FLEXOMER, FORTEFIBER, FOUNDATIONS, FROTH-PAK, GREAT STUFF, IMMOTUS, IMPAXX, INSPIRE, INSTA-STIK, INTEGRAL, ISONATE, ISOPLAST, LIQUIDOW, LP OXO, MAGNUM, MAXIBOOST, MAXICHECK, MAXISTAB, METEOR, METHOCEL, NEOCAR, NORDEL, NORKOOL, NORMAX, OMEXELL, OPTIM, PAPI, PELADOW, PELLETHANE, PFENEX EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY, POLYOX, POLYPHOBE, PRIMACOR, PROCITE, PULSE, QBIS, QUASH, REDI-LINK, SAFE-TAINER, SARAN, SARANEX, SENTRY, SHAC, SI-LINK, SILK, SPECFLEX, SPECTRIM, STRANDFOAM, STYROFOAM, STYRON, STYRON A-TECH, STYRON C-TECH, SYMMATRIX, SYNALOX, SYNERGY, SYNTEGRA, TERGITOL, TILE BOND, TONE, TRENCHCOAT, TRITON, TRYMER, TUFLIN, TYRIL, TYRIN, UCAR, UCARHIDE, UCARKLEAN, UCARSOL, UCARTHERM, UCON, UNIGARD, UNIPOL, UNIPURGE, UNIVAL, VERSENE, VERSIFY, VORACOR, VORACTIV, VORALAST, VORALUX, VORANATE, VORANOL, VORASTAR, WEATHERMATE, ZETABON

The following trademarks or service marks of Dow AgroSciences LLC and certain affiliated companies of Dow AgroSciences LLC appear in this report: CLINCHER, DITHANE, FORTRESS, GARLON, GLYPHOMAX, GRANITE, HERCULEX, KEYSTONE, LAREDO, LONTREL, LORSBAN, MILESTONE, MUSTANG, MYCOGEN, NEXERA, PHYTOGEN, PROFUME, SENTRICON, STARANE, STINGER, SURPASS, TELONE, TORDON, TRACER NATURALYTE, VIKANE, WIDESTRIKE

The following trademark of Dow Corning Corporation appears in this report: SYLTHERM

Dow is a distributor of SYLTHERM products manufactured by Dow Corning Corporation

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

Registrant

Date: May 1, 2007

	/s/WILLIAM H. WEIDEMAN
	William H. Weideman
	Vice President and Controller

The Dow Chemical Company and Subsidiaries

Exhibit Index

EXHIBIT NO.		DESCRIPTION
10(f)		A copy of a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 9, 2006, amending and restating Section 15.08(i) of The Dow Chemical Company 1988 Award and Option Plan (included as part of and incorporated by reference to the Prospectus contained in The Dow Chemical Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-21748, filed May 16, 1988), as amended during 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to The Dow Chemical Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991), as amended effective as of January 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of The Dow Chemical Company held on May 15, 1997); as amended pursuant to shareholder approval granted on May 9, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Agenda Item 3 of the definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of The Dow Chemical Company held on May 9, 2002).
23		Analysis, Research & Planning Corporation’s Consent.
31(a)		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31(b)		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32(a)		Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32(b)		Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
EX-100.INS		XBRL Instance Document
EX-100.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
EX-100.SCH.1		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
EX-100.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
EX-100.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
EX-100.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

As a participant in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s voluntary XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) program, the Company has attached as Exhibit 100 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q the complete set of financial statements, excluding the notes to the financial statements, formatted in XBRL. Pursuant to Rule 401 of Regulation S-T, users of this data are advised that the financial information contained in the XBRL-related documents is unaudited and that these are not the official publicly filed financial statements of the Company. In accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, the information in Exhibit 100 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

The purpose of submitting these XBRL-related documents is to test the related format and technology. As a result, investors should continue to rely on the official filed version of the Company’s financial statements included in PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and not rely on the information in Exhibit 100 in making investment decisions.