Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt, Germany – September 30, 2014 – Today Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, unveiled enhancements to its transparent specialties production network and portfolio. Specifically, the company successfully started NAS production in its Decatur, Alabama site and will open a new NAS and Zylar plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany, which will begin production in early October. Delivering on plans Styrolution shared earlier this year, the launch of production at both of these existing sites bolster global supply security and local sourcing options for transparent specialty styrenics.

Styrolution also unveiled new grades in its Zylar and Clearblend product lines. The announcement of the new grades, Zylar 670 and Clearblend 155 further reinforces Styrolution's commitment to advancing its offering in transparent specialty styrenics. Both grades are the result of a new, proprietary impact-modifying technology, and offer customized strength that has been proven through exceptional performance in drop tests.

The powerful combination of transparency and unique strength make these grades ideal material solutions for applications across a wide range of industries.

Key points:

Strengthening global supply security and availability: The success of the Decatur, Alabama production site coupled with the upcoming inauguration of the new plant at Ludwigshafen, deliver on Styrolution's promise of providing customers supply options from at least two sites. Styrolution produces its styrenic specialities at several plants offering global customers not only local supply but support from dedicated service teams with expertise in customer industries, technical support, regulatory services and certifications. 

New and innovative transparent styrenic solutions: Both Zylar 670 and Clearblend 155 enhance their existing portfolios by offering a unique type of impact resistance. Performing exceptionally well in drop tests, these grades provide customers the strength needed for storage applications, such as small appliance fluid tanks and wet or dry food storage containers. Additionally, as these grades are ideal for food and water contact, as well as use in certain medical applications, they enable a diversity of possibilities. Through its process of collaborative innovation, Styrolution has developed these products together with customers from various industries.

Zylar 670 is available from Styrolution globally. This high-performance transparent specialty product is characterized by water clear transparency, high flowability, good chemical resistance and exceptional impact-resistance when dropped.

Clearblend 155 is an impact-modified, transparent styrene acrylic copolymer dry blend that offers customers a cost-effective material solution without significantly compromising performance.

Measures reinforce leading position in transparent specialties and advance Triple Shift growth strategy: The successful start of NAS production in Decatur, the opening of the new plant at Ludwigshafen and the launch of the new grades all reinforce Styrolution's continued global leadership in and dedication to innovation through specialty styrenic materials. The successful enhancement of these production locations and sought-after product portfolios are key steps in the advancement of Styrolution's Triple Shift strategy, which calls for a focus on styrenic specialties and Standard ABS, higher-growth industries, such as healthcare, household and electronics and growth in emerging markets. These developments also ensure that customers throughout the world and across all industries have access to the material solutions critical to the success of their applications.

Quotes:

Roberto Gualdoni, CEO, Styrolution: "Everyday our customers rely on our specialty material solutions to solve their product challenges and bring their applications to fruition. As such, it is essential that they have confidence in the supply security and availability of our transparent specialty product line. The success of our Decatur facility and the opening of our new plant in Ludwigshafen signify major milestones in Styrolution's global styrenics leadership and, more importantly, offer our customers the service and materials necessary for application innovation and success."

Marty Spatz, Business Director, Transparent Specialties, Americas Styrolution: "Transparent specialty materials continue to emerge as an innovative technology unlocking new potential through many key industries. With the launch of our new Zylar and Clearblend grades, we are further uncovering new possibilities where customers need transparency and toughness."

Marcela Villegas, Business Director, Transparent Specialties, EMEA Styrolution: "We are pleased to now offer regional supply of NAS and Zylar throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In fact, the new plant in Ludwigshafen makes Styrolution the largest producer of transparent styrenics in EMEA. Customers across the region will also benefit from local Styrolution experts, who in the spirit of collaborative innovation are dedicated to helping customers across a range of industries achieve their vision for application success with transparent styrenics."

Key products mentioned in this announcement:

ABOUT INEOS STYROLUTION

INEOS Styrolution is the leading, global styrenics supplier with a focus on styrene monomer, polystyrene, ABS Standard and styrenic specialties. With world-class production facilities and more than 85 years of experience, INEOS Styrolution helps its customers succeed by offering the best possible solution, designed to give them a competitive edge in their markets. The company provides styrenic applications for many everyday products across a broad range of industries, including automotive, electronics, household, construction, healthcare, toys/sports/leisure, and packaging. In 2015, sales were at 5 billion euros. INEOS Styrolution employs approximately 3,100 people and operates 15 production sites in nine countries.