Market Assessment Program Verifies Broad Utility of Super Concentrate^TM Products to Cut Colorant Costs

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., June 19, 2000: A three-year market assessment project undertaken to benchmark the benefits of Teknor Color's family of Super Concentrate (Trade Mark) products confirmed that the high-efficiency color concentrates provide 30-60% cost savings compared to conventional concentrates without processing or end-use limitations, the company announced today at NPE 2000 (McCormick East, Booth 11947).

The Super Concentrate Series, which encompasses Color Crystals (Registered Trade Mark), Color Spheres (Trade Mark), and Ultracolor products, incorporate 200% or higher pigment loadings in the same unit volume as standard concentrates. Color Crystals and Ultracolor are supplied as 1/16 or 1/32 in. (15.9 or 7.9 mm) beads. Color Spheres are supplied only in 1/32 in. form to provide improved incorporation, particularly in large flat surface parts. Color Crystals are designed for use in polyolefins, while Ultracolor can be used in multiple polymers, including PS, ABS, PC, acrylic, PP and HDPE. Color Spheres are available for styrenics and polyolefins.

"The economy achieved by processors that have switched from conventional concentrates to Super Concentrate products reinforces our commitment to provide additional support for these types of solutions," said Dr. Alan Bruder, General Manager of Teknor Color. "Additionally, feeder technology has improved to the point where processors are now able to use Super Concentrates at low dosage rates with excellent results. This allows for their widespread use."

According to Bruder, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in a range of industries, custom and captive processors, and producers of semi-finished products are using Super Concentrates
to reduce costs without sacrificing quality or performance. "The full potential for our high-
efficiency concentrates has yet to be realized, and it continues to expand as they gain acceptance with processors and the plastics industry continues to advance," he said. "Companies that embrace change, including technologies like Super Concentrates, will continue to create a competitive advantage."

Because of the competitive nature of companies moving to the higher value of Super Concentrates, many of them are reticent to reveal details about their end use. Some major applications include: thin-wall injection molded appliance components; high-volume blow-molded containers for personal care products; and coextruded sheet for packaging, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, and other thermoformed parts.

Ultracolor, in addition to its intended cost reduction, may provide benefits in other areas. Preliminary test results indicate the proprietary vehicle allows for improved impact strength in HDPE [based on Gardner Impact, and Notched Izod Impact testing; data available on request]. Ultracolor also disperses very well in certain engineering resin alloys, such as PC/ABS blends. Its affinity for both polymer matrices allows for this superior performance compared to that of conventional products. The Ultracolor carrier also precludes the need for drying that is characteristic of typical ABS and PC concentrates.

"Super concentrates can replace traditional products in practically any application. They process normally, and do not present any concerns in end use," said Bruder, citing personal care packaging, power tools, housewares, consumer electronics, medical devices, toys, and industrial components as candidates.