DSM’S ARNITEL® TAKES A POUNDING ON RAILROADS AND LASTS LONGER

With a predicted life of 20 years when used as railway pads, Arnitel® thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) from DSM Engineering Plastics offer better load-bearing capacity than rubber, better abrasion resistance, and the fabrication advantages of injection-moulded or extruded thermoplastics over thermoset rubber moulding. With a predicted life of 20 years when used as railway pads between rails and concrete ties, Arnitel thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPEs) from DSM Engineering Plastics offer better load-bearing capacity than rubber, better abrasion resistance, and the fabrication advantages of injection-moulded or extruded thermoplastics over thermoset rubber moulding. With consistent performance from -55 °C to 150 °C and the longest lifetime to failure vs. other TPEs—important owing to the expense and time required for replacing pads—Arnitel®-TPE pads are especially effective at extending the length of continuous use performance and reducing system costs.

DOW CORNING NAMES SOLUTIONS CENTER MANAGER

Dow Corning Corporation has named Thierry Materne, Ph.D., global technology and business development manager for the company’s new Surface and Interface Solutions Center (SISC) in Seneffe, Belgium. MIDLAND, Mich. U.S.A.: June 18, 2004 - Dow Corning Corporation has named Thierry Materne, Ph.D., global technology and business development manager for the company’s new Surface and Interface Solutions Center (SISC) in Seneffe, Belgium.

Distrupol and Lucite International redefine traditional distributor role to drive innovation and customer benefits

Distrupol and Lucite International redefine traditional distributor role to drive innovation and customer benefits Distrupol, a member company of Univar and a leading European polymer distributor, technical service provider and application development partner, has announced that its 15 year distribution relationship with Lucite International has been elevated to an ‘open book’ working partnership to provide a more complete integrated service both to benefit Lucite customers and the wider polymer-user market.

GREAT LAKES WILL INTRODUCE NEW ADDITIVES AT K2004

New products Firemaster BP411 and Firemaster CP-44HF offer alternative flame retardant options for electrical component applications. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA—Great Lakes Chemical Corporation (NYSE:GLK) today announced the company will launch the latest additions to its range of flame retardants and polymer stabilizers at the international trade fair for plastics and rubber, K 2004, to be held October 20 – 27, 2004, in Düsseldorf, Germany.

LEXAN® THERMOCLEAR® SHEET SELECTED FOR STADIUM ROOFS FOR THE UEFA EURO 2004™ TOURNAMENT IN PORTUGAL

The opening game of the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament will be held at the Dragão stadium. It has a 50,000-seat capacity, incorporates 280 tonnes of metal in its structure and has an array of pillars to support its translucent roof, which has been termed a veil because of its impressive design. The roof incorporates 35,200m² of LEXAN® THERMOCLEAR® X-structure that for this installation is 32mm thick and has UV protection on both sides. BERGEN OP ZOOM, The Netherlands — June 9, 2004 — Whether a design demands either transparent or light diffusing materials, GE Advanced Materials Structured Products’ LEXAN® polycarbonate sheet remains a popular choice for stadium roofing and other associated stadium applications. One of the best and most recent examples of this is the specification of LEXAN® THERMOCLEAR® sheet as the roof glazing material for six of the stadiums that host the UEFA Euro 2004™ football tournament in Portugal. LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet provides excellent light transmission, high impact resistance and good weatherability – and will require minimal maintenance. For these particular stadiums, more than 74,000m² of both side UV protected LEXAN THERMOCLEAR sheet has been installed at the six venues In Portugal.

SIDE AIRBAG COVERS IN 2003 PHANTOM: ROLLS-ROYCE ADOPTS DSM ARNITEL® TPE-E FROM DSM ENGINEERING PLASTICS

Side airbag covers in 2003 Phantom: Rolls-Royce adopts DSM Arnitel® TPE-E from DSM Engineering Plastics. Side door airbag covers for the 2003 Phantom from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. now employ DSM Engineering Plastics’ Arnitel® TPE copolyester elastomer. The Arnitel® TPE grade used for the cover was designed to perform well in automotive airbag and other demanding applications. With the successful Rolls-Royce Phantom application, DSM has extended the application range for its Arnitel® TPE into the automotive airbag market segment.

Hyperform® HPN-68Awarded Food Safety Approval In European Union

- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved the use of Hyperform® HPN-68 for use in food applications, which means that this high-speed nucleating agent for polypropylene from Milliken & Company has now gained acceptance for food related applications virtually worldwide.

Rhodia Polyamide Announces Further Price Increases for Polyamide 6.6 in Europe

Rhodia Engineering PlasticsSt. Fons, France, June 10, 2004 – Rhodia Polyamide announced a price increase of €100 per metric ton for PA 66 base resins in Europe. Prices of PA 66 compounds will also be increased accordingly. These increases will be effective as of June 14th, 2004.