(Company Annoucement) According to the UN, the world’s population is expected to reach approximately 8.3 billion by 2030, and society will need 50 percent more food, 45 percent more energy, and 30 percent more water to sustain this growth. Science will play a critical role in addressing these global challenges, and Dow (NYSE: DOW) is dedicated to innovating science-driven solutions.

With its newest breakthrough, BETAMATE™ Structural Adhesives, Dow delivers on an aggressive target it set in 2006 to introduce three “Breakthroughs” that will significantly help solve world challenges, such as affordable and adequate food supply, decent housing, energy and climate change, and clean water.
This commitment to deliver three “Breakthroughs to World Challenges” by 2015 is one of Dow’s 2015 Sustainability Goals, an aggressive set of 10-year targets that seeks to improve sustainability in seven core areas, which also include: Sustainable Chemistry; Addressing Climate Change; Energy Efficiency and Conservation; Product Safety Leadership; Contributing to Community Success; and Local Protection of Human Health and the Environment. “Today, we celebrate a milestone in Dow’s sustainability journey – fulfilling our commitment to deliver at least three Breakthroughs to World Challenges in areas like food and nutrition, fresh water, and energy and climate change,” says Neil Hawkins, Dow corporate vice president, Sustainability. “As our society faces these increasingly complex challenges, Dow is proud to be part of the solution – putting our science and technology expertise to work to deliver real, high-impact innovations in these essential areas for society.”

To be selected, each of Dow’s breakthrough technologies – Omega-9 Oils, DOW FILMTEC™ ECO Reserve Osmosis Elements and, now, BETAMATE Structural Adhesives – were subjected to a rigorous evaluation process. The process evaluates many candidates in Dow’s R&D pipeline against a variety of criteria, from positive impact on millions of human lives, to minimal environmental impact throughout the product’s lifecycle. Overall, breakthroughs are selected based on their significant contributions to society over the long term.

According to Ross McLean, President, Dow Africa, Dow sees Africa as crucial to the company’s future growth and business success.  He says, “We are proud that our solutions have been part of Africa’s growth over the last 50 years.  We’re passionate about combining the power of science and technology to create sustainable solutions that forward human progress. These milestones are proof of this commitment in action.”