DSM ENGINEERING PLASTICS TO DOUBLE CAPACITY IN CHINA ON NEW SITE

DSM Engineering MaterialsDSM has decided to build a new site to expand its Engineering Plastics’ compounding capacity in China. This project includes both new compounding lines, which will double total capacity for their Stanyl PA46, Akulon PA6 and Arnite polyesters, and the relocation of the existing facilities in Zhouzhuang in Jiangyin, Jiangsu province in China to a new state of the art plant in Jiangyin Hitech Develoment Zone in Jiangyin. The project will include a major technological upgrade of existing production equipment that will be relocated. DSM’s products are used to manufacture key molded components for the automotive, electrical and electronics industries.

Greater strength and design freedom thanks to Eastman’s Spectar® Copolyester

Eastman Copolyester Used in Award-Winning Colgate-Palmolive POP Display. CAPELLE A/D IJSSEL, THE NETHERLANDS - Brazilian designer Antonio Carlos Valle chose Eastman’s Spectar® copolyester sheets to create a point of purchase display for Colgate Palmolive that earned first place in the Point of Purchase Advertising International’s POPAI Brasil Award. The display, which won in the semi-permanent – personal hygiene category, was manufactured by Visão Criativa for Colgate Palmolive’s introduction of a new dental whitener.

DSM’ ARNITEL® COPE PRODUCT LINE PARTNERS WITH THE NEW OMNEXUS TO FURTHER DEVELOP ITS BUSINESS

Example of Applications Gallery, available at: www.omnexus.com/tc/polymerselector/polymerprofiles.aspx?id=334 SpecialChem is pleased to announce today the start of collaboration with DSM Engineering Plastic’s Arnitel® COPE product line on its Plastics & Elastomers platform: www.omnexus.com.

SONOCO-ALCORE ANNOUNCES COREBOARD AND CORE INCREASE IN EUROPE

SonocoBrussels, Belgium – Sonoco - Alcore will raise prices on coreboard and cores and tubes effective April 18, 2005, it was announced today by James Harrell, chief executive officer of Sonoco-Alcore.

Dow Corning Calls for New Model of the Materials Development Business in Semiconductor Industry

Dow Corning - ElectronicsMarch 11th 2005 Shanghai During the recent 2005 China Semiconductor Manufacturing Summit, Mr. Phil Dembowski, the Global Market Manager of Dow Corning Semiconductor Fabrication Material delivered a presentation that addressed innovation and business success factors in materials development for the semiconductor industry. The presentation entitled ¡®Changing the Material Development Business Model for Success¡¯ drew a welcome response from delegates and was said to have effectively reflected the dawn of a new era for the semiconductor industry.

Borouge completes USD 40 million investment exercise to increase Polyethylene production capacity at Abu Dhabi facility to 580 kts per annum

BorougeAbu Dhabi & Singapore - Borouge announced today that its USD 40 million investment to expand the Polyethylene capacity of its USD 1.2 billion petrochemical complex in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 450 kilo tonnes (kts) to 580 kts per annum has been successfully completed in early March 2005.

Borealis increases European polyolefins prices

BorealisBorealis announced today that it will increase the price of its polyethylene and polypropylene plastics in Europe by EUR 70 and EUR 50 per tonne respectively as of April 1, 2005.

PE100+ Association’s Board of Directors re-elected

PE100+ AssociationAt the annual Member meeting on February 22nd 2005, the PE100+ Association elected Robin Bresser, Borealis Pipe Marketing Manager, as its new President. André Scheelen from BP, the previous President, decided not to stay in the Board of the Association but will keep an active role in the Member meeting. The member companies appreciated Andre Scheelen for his great contribution and leadership in the development of the Association since its foundation in 1999. The newly elected Board members are as follows: