PolyOne and Zyvex Performance Materials Announce Agreement to Develop Carbon-Nanotube Thermoplastic Composites

CLEVELAND, March 11  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PolyOne Corporation (NYSE: POL), a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, and Zyvex Performance Materials, a recognized worldwide leader in carbon nanotube-enhanced applications, today announced a joint development agreement to provide carbon nanotube-filled polymer materials for structural and electrically conductive applications. PolyOne will compound the functionalized nanotubes with a variety of high-performance engineering thermoplastics, and will market and sell the compounds through its global commercial teams.

Zyvex Performance Materials will provide the chemistry and carbon-nanotube functionalization necessary to be compatible with select high-end thermoplastics. PolyOne will supply the compounding technology, product development and process optimization to take full advantage of the nanotubes and chemistry.

Cecil Chappelow, vice president, innovation, sustainability and chief innovation officer at PolyOne said, "We are encouraged by the significant market potential for these new nanocomposite compounds in applications such as medical packaging, consumer electronics, and other high-performance products. Our collaboration with Zyvex is an ideal way to expand on our commitment to developing solutions that provide our customers with the innovation needed for long-term growth."

Lance Criscuolo, president of Zyvex Performance Materials explained, "This is a real breakthrough development agreement, combining the resources and innovations of PolyOne with our carbon nanotube technology. We are pleased to be developing these products with another Ohio industry leader. We anticipate PolyOne will utilize the technology to provide highly conductive and mechanically enhanced materials that will be superior to current products available in the market."

Included in the joint development is Stratek Plastic Ltd. (Wallingford, CT), an advanced process development company that will leverage its Tek-Mix(R) blending technology to optimize nanotube dispersion aimed at maximizing material performance.

Unique material enhancements are made possible by carbon nanotube technology. When carbon nanotubes are treated and processed for optimum dispersion and bonding, the resulting lightweight compounds gain strength and conductivity. These improvements will enable production of complex, structural designs with added EMI/RFI shielding, thermal conductivity, and anti-static capabilities.

About PolyOne

PolyOne Corporation, with annual revenues of more than $2.7 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. Headquartered outside of Cleveland, Ohio USA, PolyOne has operations around the world. For additional information on PolyOne, visit our Web site at http://www.polyone.com/.

About Zyvex Performance Materials

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Zyvex Performance Materials Inc. was spun out of Zyvex Corporation in April 2007. Zyvex Performance Materials is focused on developing nanotechnology to improve the properties of composite materials. The company's patented technology allows composites to take advantage of the superior physical and chemical properties of carbon nanotubes by enabling the even dispersion of carbon nanotubes in composites mixtures. Zyvex Performance Materials was the first company to provide carbon nanotube enhanced products to the marketplace. For additional information on Zyvex Performance Materials, visit our Web site at http://www.zyvexpro.com/.

About Stratek Plastic

Stratek Plastic Ltd., located in Wallingford, CT, is a leader and innovator in the development of advanced processing and blending technologies. For additional information on Stratek, visit our Web site at http://stratekplastic.com/.

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DATASOURCE: PolyOne Corporation



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