Cyclics Press Kit Plant Opening

Plant Opening Schwarzheide, 16 March 2005

Cyclics First CBT Resin Manufacturing Plant on Stream

Schwarzheide, Germany – The Cyclics Corporation announced the commissioning of its first manufacturing plant located in Schwarzheide, Germany. The plant has an initial capacity of 2500 metric tonnes (5.5 million pounds) of CBT^® resin. CBT resins melt to a water-like viscosity when heated and with the use of a catalyst polymerize into the engineering thermoplastic polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). CBT resin is used in compounding, casting, injection molding, nanocomposites, rotational molding, and composites. CBT resin applications under development include wind power blades, rotationally molded parts and fuel tanks, tooling blocks, marine composites, automotive parts and for use as a carrier resin for color and filler concentrates in other plastics. Cyclics’ CBT resin processes between 170-240 °C and is available in both one and two-part systems.

Cyclics Patents New Process for Making CBT^® Resin

Schwarzheide, Germany – A new patent describing a more direct, cost effective route to the manufacture of CBT^® resin has been issued to Cyclics Corporation by the US Patent and Trademark Office (Patent # 6,855,798). The core of the invention is the use of less costly starting materials to produce the CBT resin. The current manufacturing process begins with a fully formed polymer (polybutylene terephthalate or PBT) which is then reduced to small oligomers in solution through the use of a catalyst. The patent covers a process where CBT resin can be made from key monomers directly, rather than having to use PBT that already has the cost of polymerization built into it.

Cyclics sees sizeable growth in Nano Technology

Schwarzheide, Germany – The properties of Cyclics CBT^® resin have been taken to a higher level of performance through the use of nano-scale additives. The addition of nano-scale clays to CBT resin results in a stable nano-composite structure that produces a system with higher thermal stability, strength, stiffness, dimensional stability and barrier to solvent and gas penetration. CBT resin is uniquely effective in creating nano-materials because it allows the tiny nano-sized particles to easily disperse in the molten CBT resin and remain evenly distributed throughout the resin as it re-solidifies. The resulting parts made from this system benefit from a combination of properties not previously possible with traditional engineering thermoplastics.

Cyclics and ICO Courtenay Team Up for Southeast Asian Rotational Moulding Market

Schwarzheide, Germany – ICO Courtenay has entered into an agreement with Cyclics Corporation to be the distributor for CBT^® resin for rotational moulding in New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia. ICO Courtenay (www.cotene.co.nz) is known internationally for its development of new products which expand capabilities of rotational moulding. ICO Courtentay sees potential for CBT resin in a variety of rotationally moulded products including electrical enclosures, swimming pool filter housings, spa tubs and kayaks. ICO Courtenay will also be permitted to investigate and develop markets for CBT resin in casting for the region. ICO Courtenay’s full scale R&D facility at their Auckland plant, the only one of its kind in the region, has also been involved in the development work with Cyclics. Additional details of the agreement where not disclosed.

Cyclics Supports RAMPF in Development of Tooling Blocks Castings

Schwarzheide, Germany – Cyclics Corporation will supply its new CBT^® resin to RAMPF Giessharze (www.rampf-giessharze.de ), one of the market leader in the supply of tooling blocks, foam gaskets and casting resins, in the development of a superior cast tooling block material. The tooling blocks can be cut to produce prototype parts for the aerospace and automotive industries. CBT resin brings advantages in strength stiffness, high temperature performance and abrasion resistance. Current tooling block materials, such as polyurethanes, are not able to be recycled after use, but CBT resin, being a thermoplastic, can be re-used in compounding and injection molding applications.

Cyclics and PolymersNet to Pursue Korean Compounding Market

Schwarzheide, Germany – PolymersNet Co. LTD and Cyclics Corporation are forming an alliance to sell CBT^® resin-based compounds and masterbatch concentrate products in Korea. PolymersNet (www.polymersnet.com) sees immediate potential for CBT resin in digital products, mobile phones and sheet extrusion. For instance, Korea produces more mobile phones than any other country and the fast pace of product obsolescence pushes the boundaries of material technology each year. CBT resin may be able to satisfy that need acting as a flow enhancer to make more intricate parts, the matrix in highly filled conductive plastics, or improved stiffness and dimensional stability afforded with CBT-based nano-composites.

Cyclics and Lomotek Agree to Develop South African Rotational Moulding Market

Schwarzheide, Germany – Lomotek Polymers Pty. Ltd., has entered into an agreement with Cyclics Corporation to be the distributor for CBT^® resin for rotational moulding in South Africa. Lomotek’s technical expertise, innovative customer base and strong financial backing played a key role in Cyclics decision to target South Africa for early introduction of its CBT resin products.

FACT SHEET – March 16, 2005
Cyclics Plant – Schwarzheide, Germany

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Cyclics Corporation
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