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Borealis and Borouge, leading providers of innovative, value creating plastic solutions, will showcase exciting new developments at K 2007. Customers from the entire value chain are invited to their high profile stand, C58 in Hall 6 at the D¨¹sseldorf Trade Fair Centre. This is the world's most renowned exhibition for the plastics industry and the two companies will present unique materials for the infrastructure, automotive, and advanced packaging markets.

Visitors will experience how Borealis and Borouge's polyolefins answer the specific needs of converters and end-users in these market sectors. They will see how a partnership with Borealis and Borouge can address global challenges such as climate, energy, food, healthcare, communication and more specifically water.

A forum for dialogue

In addition to discussing their current and future needs and being able to visit machine manufacturers running Borealis and Borouge innovative solutions on their equipment, customers will also be invited to an exciting event taking place in D¨¹sseldorf on the 24th of October.

"We consider the tri-annual K trade show in D¨¹sseldorf to be a highlight of the business calendar," comments David Rolph, Borealis Executive Vice President for Polyolefins. "It offers us a forum to engage directly with our customers throughout the value chain to understand their needs and explore new opportunities for our solutions. We are looking forward to the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our customers."

"With our joint presence at K 2007, Borealis and Borouge will be emphasising our common vision 'shaping the future with plastics' and our common strategy 'value creation through innovation'," says Harald Hammer, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge Marketing Company. "The exhibition offers us the ideal scenario to show our commitment to the plastics industry in Europe, the Middle East and Asia."

K 2007 is worldwide the most important trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry that takes place every 3 years in D¨¹sseldorf, Germany.

Notes for Editors

Borealis and Borouge

Borealis and Borouge are leading providers of innovative, value creating plastics solutions. With more than 40 years of experience in polyolefins and using our unique Borstar® technology, we focus on the infrastructure, automotive and advanced packaging markets. We have production facilities, innovation centres and service centres across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific and work with customers in more than 170 countries around the world to provide plastic materials that make an essential contribution to society and to sustainable development. We are committed to the principles of Responsible Care® and to leading the way in 'Shaping the Future with Plastics.'

Source: Borealis

Waldkraiburg/Duluth -- KRAIBURG TPE will present a clear insight into the future of "soft-touch" with the unveiling of its next generation transparent adhesion compounds to K 2007 visitors. The industry-leading innovation will be showcased for the first time alongside KRAIBURG TPE's solutions for a wide variety of consumer, automotive and industrial applications at Hall 6 Booth A49-1, Messe D¨¹sseldorf, 24-31 October 2007.

KRAIBURG TPE's transparent adhesion compounds provide the tactile appeal of a soft-touch finish with a high degree of transparency which allows the base product to be clearly seen through the finish. This feature can be further enhanced with colour or by adding metallic or other special effects to create eye-catching, high clarity design elements on final products.

Based on hydrogenated styrene block copolymers (HSBC), the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds are unique in offering a previously unattainable level of adhesion to PC and ABS base materials. This opens up innovative design differentiation opportunities to a broad spectrum of end-products.

Dr Markus Beitzel, Director R&D Kraiburg TPE, comments: "Our transparent adhesion compounds advance the potential of traditional soft-touch finishing, providing a combination of attractive features that can deliver the design differentiation demanded by end-product manufacturers today. K 2007 provides an ideal platform for KRAIBURG TPE to introduce the benefits of this exciting innovation to a broad audience of processors and product designers and manufacturers. "

KRAIBURG TPE's leading HSBC-based compounds provide cost-effective processing, design benefits and product function advantages to a wide range of markets. The booth will highlight unique, customised solutions developed to meet the needs of specific customers in sectors such as automotive, industry, packaging, medical and consumer, in addition to the latest innovative customer examples based on standardised compounds.

For more information on KRAIBURG TPE's recent developments visit Hall 6 Booth A49-1, K 2007.

About KRAIBURG TPE

KRAIBURG TPE is one of the world's leading manufacturers of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) based on hydrogenated styrene block copolymers (HSBC). Its THERMOLAST® K compounds offer a broad spectrum of advantages including design enhancement, economical processing and expansion of product functions. They offer producers a multitude of qualities such as surface finishes, colors, transparency and a wide range of hardnesses. Over and above that, the compounds made by KRAIBURG TPE offer processing benefits such as good flow properties and excellent adhesion to many industrial thermoplasts.

In addition to standard compounds this global company, headquartered in Germany, also specializes in manufacturing compounds to customer specifications. The THERMOLAST® K compounds can be used either alone or in hard-and-soft combinations with thermoplasts. They can be applied to automotive, industry, packaging, medical and consumer in the form of self-adhesive or in-mold labels. The resins may be worked in an injection process, by extrusion and in some cases a hot-melt process.

KRAIBURG TPE products are available all around the world. There are sales offices in Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Malaysia and Hong Kong and at the production sites in the USA and Germany. KRAIBURG TPE employs a staff of more than 250 worldwide and is certified as per ISO 9001:2000, ISO/TS 16949:2002 and ISO 14001:2004.

Source: KRAIBURG TPE GmbH & Co. KG

WACKER, the Munich-based chemical company, will be showcasing a large number of product innovations for the chemical and plastics industries at K 2007, the world's largest plastics fair to be held in D¨¹sseldorf from October 24 to 31. WACKER's portfolio will range from ultra-high molecular weight silicone additives, silicone-based thermoplastics and permanently flexible hybrid adhesives to oil-exuding silicone rubber grades. A further focus will be on silicone-based solutions that make it possible to optimize all aspects of the plastics-manufacturing and plastics-processing supply chain.

At K 2007 in D¨¹sseldorf, WACKER will be highlighting innovative silicone products and customized solutions for the chemical and manufacturing industries. "The challenge facing our customers is their need to strengthen and expand their competitive edge through constant product and process innovation. That's why we're offering a great many different approaches at K 2007," says Dr. Christoph von Plotho, president of the WACKER SILICONES business division, in explaining WACKER's tradeshow program.

The solutions and service offerings on show are focusing on the entire supply chain, ranging from the development of new products to process engineering as well as packaging and logistics. WACKER will be using specific examples to spotlight the way in which innovative silicone products, first-class service and a global sales network help to solve complex problems.

Product Highlights

As at K 2004, WACKER will again be able to present a great many product highlights at this year's show. Our silicone additive line, GENIOPLAST® Pellet S, offers a solution tailored to a large number of thermoplastics compounders. The product is a pelletized, ultra-high molecular weight polysiloxane that has proved highly effective in thermoplastics compounding as a processing auxiliary and as an additive.

GENIOPLAST® Pellet S is a flow improver and reduces deposits on the die. Compounders and processors benefit from increased throughput, reduced energy consumption and hence greater overall cost-effectiveness. GENIOPLAST® also makes it possible to considerably enhance the compound's mechanical properties. The end products are notable for scratch-resistant and wear-resistant surfaces as well as a smoother and glossier look.

GENIOPLAST® Pellet S is so versatile that there is no need for traditional masterbatches. The compounder can get by with just a single product for a large number of different polymers, which greatly simplifies logistics. Preferred applications include compounds for cables, white goods, and automotive parts.

GENIOPLAST® Pellet P was developed for food-sector applications. The pellets can be used, for example, to manufacture packaging with a smoother surface that makes it easier to empty. They can also be used to produce plastic wine-bottle corks. GENIOPLAST® Pellet P enables them to slide more easily than natural corks, so they can be removed without undue effort.

GENIOMER® for Polymer Films and Optical Applications

K 2004 saw WACKER premiering a silicone-based thermoplastic that combines specific properties of silicones with the features of thermoplastic (i.e. heat-softenable) polymers. Since its debut, the hybrid material has been marketed as GENIOMER® . Not only can it be processed like conventional thermoplastics, but it also has excellent release and slip properties, high UV stability and outstanding transparency. Additionally, GENIOMER® repels water and contains no catalysts or plasticizers.

At the upcoming K 2007, WACKER is focusing on various optical and polymer-film applications. For instance, GENIOMER® is ideal for embedding electronic and optical components. GENIOMER® films can be used, for example, to encapsulate solar modules in just one simple and effective processing step. As will be demonstrated at K 2007, GENIOMER® can also be used to (co-)extrude protective film and films for labels. The thermoplastic has good release properties and lends surfaces very pleasant haptic effects.

GENIOSIL® N 550: Hybrid Adhesive Offering Good Anchorage

GENIOSIL® N 550 is a novel hybrid adhesive from WACKER. It is a high-quality, permanently flexible adhesive and sealant based on silane-modified polymers. Well-known silicone properties such as resistance to high and low temperatures, UV and weathering resistance, high elasticity and good anchorage are combined with totally new ones such as paintability.

GENIOSIL® N 550 can be coated with appropriate paints either in a cured state or by a wet-on-wet process. A further plus is that its ready adhesion makes the use of primers unnecessary in most applications. Metals, plastics, wood and other materials can be bonded together and sealed. Typical uses include metal-panel bonding and (seam) seals in the automotive and shipbuilding sectors, in caravan, railcar and bus construction, mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as in household goods.

First-Ever Self-Adhesive Solid Silicone for Extrusion

WACKER's range of innovations covers traditional solid silicones. For example, novel grades in the ELASTOSIL® R plus 4700 series. Our new elastomers adhere to a wide variety of substrates at atmospheric pressure. This makes them ideal for coextruding with metals, plastics and other silicones.

Our adhesion technology, for which a patent is pending, forms a chemical bond very quickly right in the heating tunnel. Productivity is thus on a par with standard extrudates. Complicated preparation, such as priming or flame treatment, is unnecessary. This not only lowers energy consumption and manufacturing costs, but also reduces the solvent load.

Novel Oil-Exuding ELASTOSIL® LR 3800 Liquid Silicones and ELASTOSIL® R plus 4800 Solid Silicones

WACKER SILICONES is well known for its consistently high-quality liquid silicone rubber. The same can now be said of our self-lubricating product grades, the novel ELASTOSIL® LR 3800 line, which will be debuting at K 2007. The last digit in the numerical code indicates the oil content and thus the bleeding behavior. A complete range of oil contents and Shore hardnesses is available. The new line offers much easier processing. Besides being more resistant to injection molding, the new grades can also be molded faster and demolded more easily. Additionally, novel tear-resistant grades improve puncture resistance.

Where the 3800 line's good mechanical properties are still not enough, WACKER's new self-lubricating platinum-catalyzed ELASTOSIL® R plus 4800 solid silicones come into their own. Not only have they been especially designed for cable-bushing applications, but they also withstand exacting cable-bushing tests in which the elastomers do not tear or lose their seal quality.

Silicones with New Haptics and Transparency

Silicone elastomers are often seen as materials with a rather dull, non-slip surface. K 2007 will be WACKER's showcase for ELASTOSIL® LR 3065 product grades, which have a greatly reduced coefficient of friction. The practical benefits are that components made of this material will slide more easily and are thus better suited to automatic assembly.

WACKER's innovative ELASTOSIL® R plus 4305/90 likewise boasts very low friction and looks more like plastic than rubber. As the hardest silicone elastomer known to date, it can be used to manufacture rigid parts that previously needed non-silicone support materials. What is more, this silicone rubber is highly transparent.

ELASTOSIL® C: Silicone System Solutions for the Manufacture of Composite Parts

WACKER SILICONES is offering the composites industry a novel silicone rubber - ELASTOSIL® C 1200 - for the dimensionally accurate production of reusable vacuum bags. It is a two-part, platinum-curing low-viscosity silicone that cures in just a few minutes at room temperature without shrinking.

The ELASTOSIL® C system makes it possible to produce reusable, totally precision-fit, fabric-reinforced silicone vacuum bags by a spray- up or lay-up method. Exhibiting constant properties across a wide temperature range, the bags can be used repeatedly in autoclaves or ovens. After their production, the bags can be fitted onto the mold rapidly and reliably before the individual components are made. Continual time-consuming packing with conventional vacuum film before each part is produced is no longer necessary. WACKER employees will be giving live demonstrations on how to make silicone bags.

In addition, K 2007 will be an opportunity for WACKER to showcase the following products:

Source: WACKER

K 2007 is the world's largest trade show for plastics and rubber. More than 2,900 exhibitors from 57 countries worldwide will be presenting their latest developments at this leading trade show in Dusseldorf between October 24 and 31, 2007. Among them is Degussa, which will be represented with innovative plastics as well as products for plastics production.

"Specialty plastics is one of Degussa's growth drivers" says Dr. Manfred Spindler, a member of the Management Board of Degussa GmbH. In fiscal 2006, the company generated sales of around 1.7 billion euros from specialty plastics. In this forward-looking market, customer orientation plays a pivotal role. Degussa focuses on providing customer-specific solutions: Direct dialog with customers is as important as novel products and solutions in applications technology. "For this reason, we develop a large proportion of our specialized products in close collaboration with our customers," says Spindler.

Degussa's activities focus essentially on two different target groups: processors and manufacturers of plastics. These target groups operate in different market structures; their needs are fundamentally different, and they have little in common. At its 600 sq m stand, therefore, Degussa has organized its entire plastics business according to customer and market requirements, with a division into two sections: plastics and for plastics.

plastics is itself divided along the lines of the six largest customer markets: Design, Optics, Communication, Construction, Lifestyle, and Mobility. Degussa's specialty polymers cover a wide range of applications: in buildings and in industrial applications, as constructive elements in aerospace engineering and the automotive industry, in the electrical engineering industry and medical technology, and in sporting goods and the lifestyle industry. At the trade show, Degussa will be presenting in the plastics section a series of innovative solutions for plastics processors. These include

The for plastics section is divided into the Polymerization, Compounding, and Converting process steps. In this way it meets the specific needs of plastics producers seeking information on Degussa additives and monomers to optimize their products. A number of plastic articles in daily use, from drinking water pipes to toy parts, contain customized Degussa products.

In industrial applications, Degussa's processing aids facilitate or improve polymer or monomer production. They include catalysts for polymerization, initiators as radical starters in polymerization, and additives for improvement of the properties of polymers and optimization of the manufacturing process for plastics. The innovations that Degussa will present at K 2007 include

Additionally, the advantages of the POLYTREND® liquid color system for online coloring during processing will be demonstrated on an injection molding machine at a separate stand in Hall 7a.

Degussa is continually pursuing innovations for the plastics market, notably in its project houses, each of three years' duration. The Functional Polymers@Surfaces and Interfaces Project House has now been successfully wound up. Building on its findings, the new Functional Films & Surfaces Project House will develop further expertise in the area of production and modification of functional films. The research will focus on value-adding functionalities for mono- or multi-layered films. Working on the improvement of scratch resistance, electrical conductivity, dynamic optical effects, and special barrier properties, the Project House is strongly oriented toward the requirements of the end customer market.

Degussa's Business Unit Methacrylates is a worldwide manufacturer of PMMA molding compounds and sheet products sold under the PLEXIGLAS® trademark on the European, Asian, African and Australian Continent and under the trademark ACRYLITE® in the Americas.

Degussa - a wholly owned subsidiary of the RAG Group - is the global market leader in specialty chemicals. Our business is creating essentials - innovative products and system solutions that make indispensable contributions to our customers' success. In fiscal 2006 around 36,000 employees worldwide generated sales of 10.9 billion euros and operating profits (EBIT) of more than 870 million euros.

Innovative Products and Solutions from Degussa at K 2007

plastics Section

VESTAMID® LX9020 is a polyamide 12 with outstanding UV and ageing resistance, which is also less affected by air and seawater than the materials currently used in supply lines for oil extraction. Supply lines serve to transport energy as well as all the required chemicals and hydraulic liquids to the drill head.

Flameproof, impact resistant, and heat resistant EUROPLEX® PPSU polyphenylsulfone sheets have been extensively tested by leading manufacturers of fire helmets and approved for production of visors. The material has already entered the relevant international standards for fire protection equipment, replacing the polycarbonate that has been mainly used so far.

Scratch resistance in a single step: In a new one-stage process, shaped parts produced from PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds by injection-compression molding are coated while still in the mold, by the use of an acrylate-based liquid reactive system from Degussa. The coating is cured in two steps: the new functional surface is cured in the mold to such a degree that the shaped part can be removed from the mold without damage. Curing is then completed by UV irradiation.

The new system solution for scratch resistant coating of plastic parts has been developed jointly with the machine manufacturer Krauss Maffei, and is distinguished by its high cost efficiency. The process will be demonstrated live at Stands A23/B24/C24 (Hall 15) by Krauss Maffei.

The heat insulating properties of PLEXIGLAS® multi-skin sheeting signifycantly reduces energy consumption in greenhouses, thus automatically reducing CO2 emissions from market gardens. The relatively high light transmission of the material allows many plant species to grow faster and improves their appearance. This represents an active contribution to climate protection that simultaneously provides better yields and lowers operating costs.

Innovative Products and Solutions from Degussa at K 2007

for plastics Section

DEGALAN® 40 F is a new PVC processing aid specially developed for foam applications. It imparts lower density at lower addition levels as compared with other flow improvers such as DEGALAN® 10 F. In foam applications, the product produces an extremely uniform surface and at the same time a fine-pore foam structure. The processing aid is very easy to disperse, ensuring its homogenous distribution in the PVC formulation.

DEGALAN® 75 F is a processing aid with external lubricating effect for PVC sheet and film applications. The copolymer is formed from methyl methacrylate and styrene; it is therefore compatible with the PVC matrix and ensures an excellent lubricating effect on the surface. Releasability from hot metal surfaces such as dies or calender rolls can be significantly improved by addition of DEGALAN® 75 F, without the disadvantage of the plate-out that may occur with the use of external lubricants.

TEGOMER® H-Si 6440 P can be used as a processing aid as well as for improvement of the properties of end products. It improves melt flow in, for example, PA and PBT, and also the scratch resistance of PP-talc mixtures. The organomodified siloxane TEGOMER® H-Si 6440 P is supplied in pellet form and is therefore easy to handle. The product is currently used mainly in the automotive and consumer goods industries.

TEGOSORB® P.Y. 88 is an aid for absorption of odors caused by pigments. The use of TEGOSORB® P.Y. 88 increases the possible choice of pigments for masterbatch production in applications in, for example, the automotive and food industries. Thanks to its pellet form, it is easily incorporated into masterbatches and mixing systems.

The new pigment blacks for liquid systems that Degussa markets under the name NEROX® allow higher pigment-black loading in soft PVC, PU precursors, and UP resins. They also have excellent processability and improved coloristic properties.

The POLYTREND® 7-SERIES liquid color system serves for coloring of plastics in accordance with specific requirements. The complete series of unique, environmentally friendly, and well proven liquid colors will, in conjunction with the newly developed mixing and metering systems, set new standards in plastics coloring. These revolutionary developments optimize the coloring process, increase flexibility, and reduce capital expenditure.

Source: Degussa GmbH

FLORENCE, Ky., -- The growing concern over bacterial contamination in many settings has led Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, to introduce Anti-Crobe™ Antimicrobial Polymers, a family of antimicrobial acetal copolymers (POM) that includes two injection molding grades and an extrusion grade. The line is targeted at applications calling for high-performance polymers in environments where heat, moisture and nutrients foster bacterial and fungal growth.*

Evaluation of two Anti-Crobe™ acetals grades using the Efficacy Test Method JIS Z 2801 for microbe proliferation showed they greatly inhibited microbial growth compared to conventional acetal. The tests indicate that Anti-Crobe AM90S Plus is suitable for rapid bacterial control, while Anti-Crobe AM90S is appropriate in less-demanding situations

Evaluations of these grades, which are made with the company's Hostaform® and Celcon® POMs, found they greatly inhibit microbial proliferation compared to conventional acetal. The tests considered bacterial growth at 35¡ãC (99¡ãF) over 24 hours. One of the injection molded grades, Anti-Crobe AM90S Plus, gave a log 4 reduction in bacterial activity within 5 hours. The other injection molding grade, Anti-Crobe AM90S, had a similar action within 24 hours. These results indicate that Anti-Crobe AM90S Plus is suitable for rapid bacterial control, while Anti-Crobe AM90S is appropriate in less-demanding situations.

"The advanced, inorganic antimicrobial formulation in these grades is present throughout the polymer matrix, not just on the surface, and does not migrate significantly," says Davida Barrett, Technical Marketing. "This means that Anti-Crobe resins won't abrade or scratch off, so they preserve product performance and service life by deterring bacteria and fungal attack that can cause odors, contamination, stains, biofilms and mechanical property loss."

Anti-Crobe Antimicrobial Polymers comply with FDA regulations for direct food contact, meet the NSF 61 Potable Water standard, and satisfy applicable EPA regulations. They are naturally white and can be tinted as needed.

They retain all traditional physical and mechanical properties associated with Hostaform and Celcon POMs. For example, they have a tensile modulus of 2600 MPa, a flexural modulus of 2500 MPa, a tensile stress at yield of about 63 MPa, and a notched Charpy impact strength of 7 kJ/m². They also have excellent resistance to chemicals and dimensional stability, are inherently lubricious, and withstand continuous exposure to hot water at 82¡ãC (180¡ãF) (and intermittent exposure to water at 100¡ãC (212¡ãF) or more).

Anti-Crobe POMs are suitable for many end uses, especially in hard-to-clean wet areas and where polyolefins cannot meet performance specifications. Their possible applications include food processing, storage and handling systems, industrial gears in wet environments, and elements in water treatment plants. Other potential uses include automotive heating and air conditioning systems, medical devices, appliances, spa and bathroom products, material handling systems, office products, sports equipment, and irrigation and other fluid-based systems.

About Ticona and Celanese

Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products , and achieved net sales of $915 million in 2006. Ticona employs approximately 2,000 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil.

As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.7 billion in 2006, with over 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees worldwide.

* Anti-Crobe Antimicrobial Polymers do not protect users or others against disease-causing (or food-borne) bacteria. Antimicrobial properties apply to the molded part only. No public health claims are made with resins that have antimicrobial additives or the products that contain them.

Source: Ticona

Alpharetta, GA -- Solvay Advanced Polymers, maker of more plastics with more performance, announced the release of two new grades for its Amodel® polyphthalamide (PPA) family of high performance polymers. The first enhanced formulation is Amodel HFZ A-4133L, a high-flow grade that offers improved mechanical properties versus most liquid crystal polymers (LCP) as well a cost-effective alternative for customers currently employing LCPs that may be over-specified in certain electronics applications. The second newly enhanced offering is Amodel A-1133 NL WH886 with improved reflectivity and luminosity-retention for LED applications.

"We're very excited about the two new additions to our Amodel family of PPA resins," explained Wolf Sanner, Amodel Product Manager for Solvay Advanced Polymers. "As competition among electronic equipment manufacturers continues to grow, the choice of materials is increasingly a critical one. That's why we continue to invest in developing and delivering new formulations of polymeric solutions that meet the evolving needs of our electronics customers."

The enhanced high-flow formulation can be molded to fill the intricate and exacting tool designs commonly used to create electronic components. Specifically, the grade is aimed at applications that employ multi-cavity tools for producing complex thin-walled parts.

The new reflective grade of Amodel PPA delivers an inherently reflective plastic for manufacturers of LED packaging for automotive and consumer electronics applications, among others. The light stabilizing package also has exceptional adhesion to the silicone or epoxy encapsulant which is crucial for packaging LEDs. The new Amodel PPA reflective resin was recently selected by two global LED manufacturers based in Korea and Japan respectively.

Please visit the Solvay Stand, Hall 6, D76 at this year's K-Show in D¨¹sseldorf for more on Solvay Advanced Polymers' entire line of newly enhanced Amodel PPA resins.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers

Solvay Advanced Polymers produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. This gives design engineers worldwide more ways to solve top design challenges in automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace and other demanding industries.

Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs some 29,000 people in 50 countries. In 2006, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.4 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (Euronext : SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR) is listed on the Euronext stock exchange in Brussels.

Source: Solvay

Lyon, France -- Rhodia Polyamide has introduced TECHNYL® SI (Super-Impact), a new range of high toughness polyamides that balance exceptional impact resistance with good stiffness. Rhodia Polyamide will showcase this innovation in Hall 6, stand E24 at K 2007, October 24-31.

The high mechanical properties of impact modified polyamides bring benefits to applications as diverse as power tools or sports articles. Characteristics such as high toughness, good surface appearance and easy processing are key value drivers.

Offering an outstanding impact resistance/stiffness balance, TECHNYL® SI range is designed to provide better mechanical properties in high abuse environments. TECHNYL® SI is a new line of 'super impact' and toughened polyamide, designed to fulfil increasing OEMs' needs for higher impact performance without compromising stiffness. These materials have been conceived to push the limits in impact/stiffness balance and create new opportunities for polyamide especially in applications such as machine components, power tools, sports and others.

In the specific case of power tools, polyamides are used in housings where in combination with part designs they play a critical role in meeting structural and protective criteria.

Stiffness brings better structural characteristics to parts and improves screw retention, eliminating the need for inserts and resulting in ease of assembly, higher productivity and lower overall cost.

When selecting from the array of conventional high impact polyamides, power tool manufacturers often have to compromise in respect of either high impact resistance or stiffness. In most cases, highly toughened materials lack stiffness and show difficulties in processing. TECHNYL® SI is produced using an innovative patented technology which allows highly efficient impact modification resulting in significant improvements in the impact/stiffness balance of polyamide 6 compounds.

"The superior impact/stiffness balance of TECHNYL® SI pushes the limits and allows manufacturers to benefit from formulations that show a significantly higher level of impact performance without reducing stiffness or other mechanical properties," said Robert Monti, CIG (Consumer and Industrial Goods) and E&E (Electric and Electronics) Marketing Manager for Rhodia Polyamide's Engineering Plastics.

One leading power tool manufacturer has evaluated two formulations of TECHNYL® SI in a highly demanding application, to test performance and processing. The impact modified TECHNYL® SI used in this trial not only outperformed the existing application material in respect of impact resistance but also showed improved stiffness, high dimensional stability and good surface appearance, as well as comparable cycle time and moulding conditions.

"Moreover, the higher stiffness of TECHNYL® SI can allow designers to lower part weight by reducing wall thickness, without any loss of structural and impact performance," Monti added.

Rhodia Polyamide is an upstream integrated company providing intermediates for polyamide and other applications, polyamide polymers, as well as a complete downstream range of added value products including engineering plastics polyamide 6.6 and 6 based, industrial polyamide yarns, technical and consumer polyamide fibres and textile yarns. With fourteen state-of-the art production facilities along with R&D and technical centres, Rhodia Polyamide serves customers on every continent, with the capability to develop products and technologies locally.

Rhodia, a chemist, leader in its businesses, is an international industrial group resolutely committed to sustainable development. The Group aims to improve its customers' performance through the pursuit of operational excellence and its ability to innovate. Structured around seven Enterprises, Rhodia is the partner of major players in the automotive, tire, electronics, perfume, health and beauty and home care markets.

Rhodia is listed on Euronext Paris and the New York Stock Exchange. The Group generated sales of €4.8 billion in 2006 and employs around 16,000 people worldwide.

Source: Rhodia Polyamide