Distrupol adds plasticizer-free, super-soft thermoplastic polyurethanes to its portfolio for the United Kingdom and Ireland

Distrupol has added Elastollan® HPM and Elastollan® SPF - two new ranges of plasticizer-free, super soft thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) - to its portfolio for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Distrupol, a member company of Univar and a leading European polymer distributor, technical service and solutions provider, has added two new ranges of plasticizer-free, super soft thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) to its portfolio for the United Kingdom and Ireland where the company is the established distribution leader. These are designated Elastollan® HPM and Elastollan® SPF.

HARRY S.P.A. EXPLOITS STRENGTH, QUIETNESS OF STANYL® PA46 FOR SELF-PROPELLED LAWNMOWER TRANSMISSION GEARS

A self-propelled lawnmower transmission gear set made of Stanyl® TW200F6, a 30% glass-fibre reinforced polyamide 4,6 (PA46) from DSM Engineering Plastics. With a dual objective of quiet, dependable operation and manufacturing cost reduction, Italian lawn and garden equipment maker Harry S.P.A. is using a self-propelled lawnmower transmission gear set made of Stanyl® TW200F6, a 30% glass-fibre reinforced polyamide 4,6 (PA46) from DSM Engineering Plastics.

GE Expands Production Capacity to Meet Strong Demand for Advanced NXT* Silane used in Silica Tires

GE Advanced MaterialsBERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NEHTERLANDS — April 12, 2005 — GE today announced that it has expanded its capacity for high technology silanes used in the production of silica tires and other high-performance products. Using a proprietary process designed by GE engineers, production start-up commenced in the third quarter of 2004, and last week additional capacity was brought on-line to meet the high demand for this new technology. GE’s NXT* silane is produced at a plant in Texas City, Texas. GE declined to disclose its investment in the new capacity for competitive reasons.

GE’s Revolutionary New Technologies Help Offer Lightweight Automotive Body Panels

Large Automotive Exterior Body Panels Made with GE’s New HMD and HPPC Advanced Materials Solutions

High Modulus Ductile (HMD) and High Performance ThermoPlastic Composites (HPPC) from GE Advanced Materials, Automotive may signal two advanced materials solutions for automotive engineers who require weight reduction, design flexibility, improved moldability, and excellent impact protection for large body panels. These new technologies were developed by GE to help respond to the growing demand from consumers to produce more stylish automobiles with greater interior space, higher speed, and optimized performance. BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — Two new revolutionary thermoplastic technology platforms in the works at GE Advanced Materials introduce a new chapter in the company’s tradition of enabling automotive exterior body panels that offer a balance of lightweight performance, reliable properties against impact, and competitive cost. High Modulus Ductile (HMD) and High Performance ThermoPlastic Composites (HPPC) may signal two advanced materials solutions for automotive engineers who require weight reduction, design flexibility, improved moldability, and impact protection for large body panels. These technologies were developed to help respond to the growing demand from consumers to produce more stylish automobiles with greater interior space, higher speed, and optimized performance.

GE Advanced Materials Launches Line of Silbreak* Demulsifiers for Quick, Clean Separation of Crude Oil

Oil Platform

The global thirst for energy, and specifically crude oil, continues to grow, and as the cost and availability of this precious resource increases, oil companies are under pressure to find new sources and technologies to enhance production yields. To help, GE Advanced Materials has launched the Silbreak* silicone product offering, a new demulsifier technology that may enable the oil industry to exploit sources of crude that were once considered economically unattractive. BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — April 11, 2005 — The global thirst for energy, and specifically crude oil, continues to grow, and as the cost and availability of this precious resource increases, oil companies are under pressure to find new sources and technologies to enhance production yields. To help, GE Advanced Materials has launched the Silbreak* silicone product offering, a new demulsifier technology that may enable the oil industry to exploit sources of crude that were once considered economically unattractive.

Great Lakes Picks GE’s GELOY* Resin for Enhanced Color, Aesthetics & Long-Term Weatherability on New Line of Hot Tubs

Great Lakes Selects GE’s GELOY* XTW E290 Resin for New Hot Tub Shells

Great Lakes Home & Resort today announced an exciting new collection of hot tub shells in six new vibrant, highly weatherable colors for which it has selected GE Advanced Materials’ GELOY* XTW E290 resin. GE developed the material for Great Lakes to enable the hot tubs to help withstand the rigors of prolonged outdoor use while retaining their outstanding aesthetic appeal, strength, and functionality. In fact, UV-resistant GELOY resin can help hot tub shells and other home and resort spa equipment retain their high color and deep gloss finish for three- to five-times longer than traditional thermoplastic materials. BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — Great Lakes Home & Resort, manufacturer of Great Lakes Hot Tubs™, today announced a new line of hot tub shells in vibrant, highly weatherable colors for which it has selected GE Advanced Materials’ GELOY* XTW E290 resin, a new extrusion grade of acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA) resin for large-part thermoforming. GE developed the material for Great Lakes to help enable the hot tubs to withstand the rigors of prolonged outdoor abuse while retaining their outstanding aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Dow Corning showcases new, advanced products at Electronica & Productronica 2005 show

Dow Corning - ElectronicsMar 15, 2005 Shanghai Dow Corning¡¯s, electronics and advanced technologies businesses used the Electronica & Productronica 2005 show, Mar 15-17 Shanghai, to demonstrate their latest product and technology advancements. The show attracted a high degree of interest and visitors to Dow Corning¡¯s booth reinforcing the company¡¯s leading position as a materials, technology and service supplier to the electronics industry.

GE Positions New LNP* VERTON* Compounds as Alternatives to Short-Glass Products and Metals in Demanding Applications

Garage Door Handle

GE Advanced Materials, Plastics has introduced two new grades of glass-reinforced LNP* VERTON* polybutylene-terephthalate (PBT) compound as alternatives to competitive short-fiber glass-filled PBT, polypropylene (PP), and nylon resins. LNP VERTON WF-7007 compound, with a 35% long glass-fiber loading, and LNP VERTON WF-700-10 compound, with a 50% loading, deliver enhanced toughness, strength, and stiffness at wide temperature extremes. These properties, combined with light weight and exceptional UV and corrosion resistance, also make the new compounds excellent candidates for an array of applications where toughness and durability are required. Target applications include electrical connectors and switches, appliance handles, and electronic motor housings. Potential metal-replacement applications include vehicle windshield wiper arms, side mirror housings, and garage door handles. BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — GE Advanced Materials, Plastics today introduced two new grades of its glass-reinforced LNP* VERTON* polybutylene-terephthalate (PBT) compound as alternatives to competitive short-fiber glass-filled PBT, polypropylene (PP) and nylon resins. LNP VERTON WF-7007 compound, with a 35% long glass-fiber loading, and LNP VERTON WF-700-10 compound, with a 50% loading, deliver enhanced toughness, strength, and stiffness at wide temperature extremes. These properties, combined with light weight and exceptional UV and corrosion resistance, make the two new compounds excellent candidates for metal replacement in an array of outdoor applications, as well as for a variety of automotive, electrical, and consumer components where exceptional toughness and durability are required.