[POLYONE LOGO]
N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POLYONE AND NOVEON CREATE ALLIANCE TO MARKET
INNOVATIVE ESD COMPOUNDS FOR ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
Cleveland, Ohio, February 14, 2003 - PolyOne Corporation and Noveon, Inc. have
created an alliance to develop and distribute a line of Electrostatic
Dissipative (ESD) compounds for the electronics industry. This agreement
provides electronics manufacturers and molders with a supply base that draws on
more than 20 years of combined experience in worldwide ESD compound development
and manufacturing.
The arrangement provides for PolyOne to distribute Noveon's Stat-Rite(R)
inherently dissipative polymer (IDP) alloy products for businesS equipment,
telecommunications and medical applications. In addition, it gives Xxxxxx's
Static Control business unit the exclusive rights to market and distribute
PolyOne's existing and emerging Stat-Tech(TM) line of electrically conductive
products for hard disk drive, semiconductor, and electronics packaging and
handling applications. Also, Noveon will utilize PolyOne's manufacturing
capabilities in Asia, Europe and North America to meet customer requirements.
The alliance creates a complementary product line that includes Stat-Rite(R) IDP
alloys and Stat-Tech(TM) electrically conductive compounds, compounds for
injection molding and sheet for thermoforming, as well as a broad ESD technology
base including carbon powder, carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, carbon
nanotubes and IDP alloys. Further, the Noveon-PolyOne alliance provides
electronics manufacturers with more manufacturing flexibility, enhanced
worldwide customer service, increased efficiencies and a renewed focus on
developing new products for ESD applications. The companies plan to coordinate
research and development efforts to expand ESD applications and develop more
innovative ESD compounds.
"This agreement supports PolyOne's continuing commitment to invest in and
strengthen its ESD compounds," said Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, market development manager
for PolyOne. "On a broader scale, it illustrates our intent to bring to our
customers new and improved technologies that help them solve problems, reduce
their costs and grow."
"By working together, Xxxxxx and PolyOne will be able to supply the electronics
industry with the broadest range of static control products," said Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, marketing manager for Noveon Static Control. "Whether thermoforming
sheets or injection molding of parts, our customers should turn to us first for
all OF their ESD material needs."
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ABOUT POLYONE
PolyOne Corporation, (NYSE: POL) with 2002 revenues of $2.5 billion, is an
international polymer services company with operations in thermoplastic
compounds, specialty resins, specialty polymer formulations, engineered films,
color and additive systems, elastomer compounding, and thermoplastic resin
distribution. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, PolyOne has employees at
manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and joint
ventures in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Information on the Company's products and services can be found at
xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx.
PolyOne Media & Investor Contact: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Chief Investor &
Communications Officer
PolyOne Corporation
216.589.4018
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