MOHAWK TO PURCHASE DOW LATEX BACKING PRODUCED WITH LOMAX

DALTON (July 25, 2008)—As the Dow Chemical Company announced its innovative LOMAX™ Technology for using captured landfill methane gas as fuel, Mohawk Industries stepped up to be the one of the first customers for the latex backings produced using the process.

Mohawk is currently the largest user of backings made using LOMAX technology in residential carpet manufacturing.   David Duncan, Mohawk Vice President of Marketing, said that the Dow process fits perfectly with Mohawk’s Greenworks initiatives, and that Mohawk is proud to support a supplier who has developed a new way to reduce emissions and fossil fuel use.

“LOMAX Technology takes advantage of an unused resource, replacing natural gas and creating a positive environmental impact,” Duncan said.  “Through our Greenworks platform, we are continually looking for ways to make our total manufacturing process—from raw materials to delivered products—more environmentally sound.  Part of what makes Mohawk Greenworks successful is having suppliers that share our commitment to sustainability. Dow's LOMAX technology is a perfect example of a partner stepping up to bring us an environmentally superior product."  

LOMAX Technology, the name Dow bestowed upon this renewable energy source process, will use approximately 240 billion Btu annually of methane gas, which is equivalent to the amount of energy required to heat 2,100 US homes annually. Carpet backing manufactured with LOMAX Technology will reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 27 million pounds annually – which is comparable to keeping 2,300 cars off the road each year. If measured by oil consumed, LOMAX Technology will replace more than 200,000 barrels annually.

“Today’s gas prices alone are enough reason to know we must, as a nation and world, move to more sustainable energy sources,” said Todd Crook, Americas Flooring Leader for Dow Emulsion Polymers. “In the manufacturing of our latexes for carpet backing, our target will be to replace nearly all the fossil fuel required to manufacture latex with methane gas that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere.”

Latex made with LOMAX Technology has the same performance characteristics of conventional latex, but with a lower environmental footprint.  Mohawk carpets made with LOMAX Technology are all certified Green Label Plus by CRI.  Green Label Plus is recognized by the USGBC for credit under the LEED for Homes standards.     

To learn more, visit www.dowlomax.com.

Mohawk Greenworks is an umbrella program that places all green projects under a single platform for management and information.  Greenworks is designed to help people understand how much effort goes into this process—and how it impacts every level of Mohawk Industries.  Greenworks covers the spectrum of environmental practices—the “5 Rs”—recycle, renew, reuse, recover, and reduce. 

Mohawk leads the floorcovering industry in many environmental efforts, and has been cited by government agencies as a pioneer for other industries to follow.  Mohawk is the largest recycler in the in the flooring industry, currently diverting more than three billion pounds of pre- and post-consumer waste from landfills.  More than 500 Mohawk products—carpet, carpet tiles, cushion, laminates, and ceramic tile—contain recycled materials. 

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About Mohawk:  Mohawk is a leading supplier of flooring for both residential and commercial applications. Mohawk offers a complete selection of broadloom carpet, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone, vinyl, rugs and other home products. These products are marketed under the premier brands in the industry, which include Mohawk, Karastan, Ralph Lauren, Lees, Bigelow, Dal-Tile, American Olean and Quick-Step. Mohawk's unique merchandising and marketing assist our customers in creating the consumers' dream. Mohawk provides a premium level of service with its own trucking fleet and over 250 local distribution locations.

About Dow:  With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com

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