GREAT LAKES INCREASES PRICES OF ALL BROMINE-BASED FLAME RETARDANTS

Great LakesINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA—Great Lakes Chemical Corporation (NYSE:GLK) today announced it will increase prices worldwide on Firemaster® 550/552 flame retardants, Tetrabromophthalic anhydride and Tetrabromophthalic anhydride (PHT-4™) derivatives by $0.10/lb. Additionally, the company will increase prices on all other brominated flame retardants worldwide by up to 15%. These price increases are in addition to all other increases previously announced and will be effective for shipments beginning April 1, 2005, or as contracts allow.

Peguform Bohemia and Exatec teaming up to advance Polycarbonate Automotive Glazing

GE PlasticsThe cooperation of a leading automotive equipment supplier and the leading international polycarbonate glazing specialist heralds a new era in automotive design. Czech Republic based Peguform Bohemia and Exatec, the PC Glazing Technology Joint Venture of Bayer MaterialScience and GE Advanced Materials, announced on March 8, 2005 their cooperation in a major effort to bring advanced Exatec PC Glazing Technology to the automotive market. Peguform Bohemia will build a new polycarbonate glazing facility based on Exatec’s comprehensive glazing system technology. This will make Peguform Bohemia the first company to use Exatec’s advanced Glazing technology including Plasma technology to manufacture clear, light weight and impact resistant polycarbonate side and rear car windows as well as panoramic roofs for car manufacturers worldwide.

Borealis appoints Ultrapolymers as European rotomoulding distribution partner

From left:
Ronny Ervik, Borealis
Robert Zbasnik, Ultrapolymers
Matthew Brooks, Ultrapolymers
Mark Demuynck, Ultrapolymers
Marion Funk, Ultrapolymers
Rainer Konrad, Ultrapolymers
Daniel Zanini, Ultrapolymers
Pierre Grenard, Ultrapolymers
Kjetil Børve, Borealis Borealis has appointed Ultrapolymers as distribution partner in Europe for its full range of polyethylene and polypropylene rotomoulding (RM) resins effective March 14, 2005.

GE Advanced Materials and Exatec Fuse Function and Aesthetics for Leading Innovative Large Surface Glazing Technologies

Tailgate and Glazing System Design Using LEXAN* GLX Resin

A two-component tailgate and glazing system has been designed using GE’s LEXAN* GLX resin and Exatec’s coating capabilities. The new design features molded-in fastening elements, rear brake light, handles and locks, and column cladding that are achievable using this cutting-edge GE polycarbonate (PC) material to consolidate parts. It also illustrates how GE Advanced Materials, Automotive can provide premium design options for large three-dimensional (3-D) glazing panels – for rear and roof window applications and other 3-D parts – by combining high-performance LEXAN GLX resin with unique coating technologies from Exatec. BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — GE Advanced Materials, Automotive, working in collaboration with Exatec, offers premium design options for large three-dimensional (3-D) glazing panels for rear and roof window applications and other 3-D parts by combining high-performance LEXAN* GLX resin with unique coating technologies from Exatec.

Borealis achieves major increase in operating profit to EUR 278 million for 2004

BorealisBorealis today announced its fourth quarter results, reporting an operating profit of EUR 104 million for the quarter. The result compared positively to the EUR 24 million achieved in the same quarter of 2003, benefiting from improved operations and higher industry margins.

GE Advanced Materials Press Kit VDI, Mannheim 9 & 10 March 2005

GE PlasticsVDI - International Conference Plastics in Automotive Engineering

IT Companies Bullish on Jobs and Revenues

EurocomLondon, March 2 2005: Technology companies are bullish about the year ahead according to the annual global IT confidence survey conducted by Eurocom Worldwide in association with its network partner agencies.

Andriate Takes Lead of Eastman’s Plastics Marketing

Eastman Chemical Company has appointed Laurie D. Andriate as new Global Marketing Director for its plastics business activities. Laurie Andriate has joined Eastman’s Global Marketing organization as the director, global marketing for plastics. Reporting to Eastman’s chief marketing officer, Andriate is responsible for driving the company’s plastics business growth through an end-consumer, solutions-oriented marketing approach. Andriate comes to Eastman from BASF Corporation, where her performance was recognized with a series of increasingly responsible positions in marketing and business management. Her most recent position there was as business manager, styrenic copolymers for North America.