ICIS Reveals Global Chemical Market's Top 40 Power Players

NEW YORK and LONDON, December 13, 2010 - ICIS Chemical Business magazine has unveiled the ICIS
Top 40 Power Players for 2010 - the most influential people in the global
chemical markets.

"It's not the reveling in success that makes a true leader - rather it is
how they deal with adversity. One could not have asked for a better time to
test their mettle than the financial and economic crisis of 2008-2009," said
Joseph Chang, Global Editor of ICIS Chemical Business (
www.icis.com/magazine ).

"But through the dark days, a number of leaders took the steps necessary
to make their companies more competitive and positioned for success," he
added.

Taking the top spot this year is Andrew Liveris, chairman and CEO of
US-based Dow Chemical.

"Call it the comeback of the ages. Liveris has brought the world's second
largest chemical company back from the brink of financial disaster in 2009 to
a position of great strength in 2010," said Chang.

"For nearly the last two years, Dow has focused on flawlessly executing
our acquisition of Rohm and Haas, as well as a host of other defining steps
that have remade our company," Liveris said. "In 2010, we outperformed on all
fronts - strategically, operationally and financially - clearly demonstrating
the power of our new portfolio. This honor is not just about one person,
however. It goes to all our employees around the world who day-in and day-out
rose above extreme adversity to transform Dow into an innovative, earnings
growth company."

On solid financial footing, Liveris is aiming high, targeting earnings
per share (EPS) of $3.50-$5.50 in the near term - far above Wall Street
consensus estimates of $1.84 for 2011 and $2.45 in 2012.

The Dow CEO will look to continue to invest across its promising
portfolio of advanced materials, performance and agricultural businesses and
specialty plastics.

In petrochemicals and plastics, the company is seeking to leverage its
advantaged cost position in North America stemming from low-cost shale gas
feedstock. It announced a plan to boost US ethane cracking capacity by up to
30% over the next three years.

Dow's renewed innovation engine is firing on all cylinders as well. The
company remains on track to launch its POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle in 2011,
named a 2009 Invention of the Year by Time Magazine. Breakthrough disruptive
technologies such as Dow Herbicide Tolerant traits from its agricultural arm,
and new lithium-ion battery technology at joint venture Dow Kokam all are
progressing rapidly toward commercialization as well.

Coming in at number two in the ICIS Top Power Players ranking is Peter
Bahnsuk Kim, CEO of South Korea-based LG Chem, whose company is making big
strides in the battery and electronics markets, and also capitalizing on the
growth in demand for plastics in China.

At number three is Mohamed Al-Mady, CEO of Saudi Arabia-based SABIC, who
is pushing his company further downstream into polycarbonate, polyurethanes
and potentially polyamide.

The December 13 issue of ICIS Chemical Business also includes the Ones to
Watch - the rising stars, whether industry veterans or newcomers.

Download the ICIS Top 40 Power Players on ICIS at
tinyurl.com/Top402010 .

ICIS Chemical Business is part of ICIS, the world's largest information
provider for the chemical and energy industries. ICIS aims to help companies
in global commodity markets improve their revenues and profits by providing
high quality, timely, commercially useful information, business leads and
brand positioning across the globe.

Find out more at www.icis.com

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    For media inquiries, contact:

    Joseph Chang
    Global Editor
    ICIS Chemical Business
    +1-212-791-4224
    joseph.chang@icis.com
    www.icis.com

    Will Beacham
    Deputy Editor, London Bureau Chief
    ICIS Chemical Business
    T: +44-20-8652-8683
    will.beacham@icis.com
    www.icis.com/

For media inquiries, contact: Joseph Chang, Global Editor, ICIS Chemical Business, +1-212-791-4224, joseph.chang at icis.com; Will Beacham, Deputy Editor, London Bureau Chief, ICIS Chemical Business, T: +44-20-8652-8683, will.beacham at icis.com