Dow Establishes Middle Eastern Flooring Division

Midland, MI, May 20, 2009--Dow Chemical Company said it is entering the Middle Eastern flooring market with a new Dow Flooring business unit.

Dow Flooring will be a dedicated business with an integrated market approach to create a single source for the flooring industry, by offering a broad range of technologies for soft surfaces and artificial turf markets, the company said.

“We are delighted to launch the new Dow Flooring business unit in the Middle East. Our aim is to be the preferred supplier for the flooring industry regionally," said Zuhair Allawi, commercial director, Dow Chemical India, Middle East and Africa.

The flooring industry in the Middle East is being influenced by slow growth and intense competition, which have led to commoditization of the broadloom segment of the soft surfaces market.

Soft surfaces in general are losing share to hard surfaces, which is also driving growth in the rugs and mats segments as supplemental floor coverings.