FULCRUM Technology Enables Unprecedented Expansion in Composites Market New York — Dec. 8, 2000 — Over the past year, Dow Plastics† has revolutionized the composites industry with FULCRUM* Thermoplastic Composite Technology. A thermoplastic material, combined with a unique pultrusion process, FULCRUM Technology is pushing boundaries by offering unprecedented strength, toughness and damage tolerance to end-use applications. These key properties have enabled the technology team to open new market avenues never thought possible in the composites industry. "The response from the industry and the new opportunities have been tremendous," said Chris Edwards, business development manager for Dow. "The technology team continues to build momentum and is very excited about the continued licensing opportunities for FULCRUM Technology, as well as our recent joint development effort with Pacific Woodtech Corp (Burlington, Wash.)." Expanding the Marketplace Due to the unique benefits offered by FULCRUM Technology, customers can realize a variety of end-use applications, noted Edwards. "Applications produced using FULCRUM Technology can include sporting and medical equipment to civil engineering and lumber applications. With each licensing opportunity and customer inquiry, we’re identifying new avenues for growth. This new technology has a seemingly endless market potential," Edwards said. The newest initiative is a joint development agreement between Dow and Pacific Woodtech to develop and commercialize enhanced laminated veneer lumber products for industrial applications. The products will be produced using Pacific Woodtech Corp’s advanced production methods combined with the reinforcement of FULCRUM Technology. To date, Dow Plastics has licensed four customers with FULCRUM Technology for the production of continuous fiber thermoplastic composites. These licensees include: Polygon Co. (Walkerton, IN)–Medical, automotive components, sporting goods, and industrial components. Bemis Manufacturing Co. (Sheboygan Falls, WI)–Reinforcement of profile extrusions and moldings. Inline Fiberglass Ltd. (Toronto, ON, Canada)–Window and door lineals. Top Glass S.p.A. (Pioltello, Milan, Italy)–Sporting goods and agricultural applications. Benefits of FULCRUM Technology FULCRUM Thermoplastic Composite Technology maintains several advantages in the thermoset market. Strength and Stiffness — The new technologies enable fiber loadings as high as 70 percent, demonstrating mechanical properties at least equivalent to high-performance thermoset composites. To put this in perspective, this is over twice the yield strength of mild steel. Toughness and Damage Tolerance — Thermoplastics are much tougher and more ductile than thermosets. FULCRUM Technology exploits its tough, ductile matrix to the full in creating a composite with twice the energy absorption capability of a comparable thermoset. High Productivity — FULCRUM Technology makes it possible to pultrude thermoplastic composites at very high rates. Line speeds greater than 10 meters per minute (33 feet per minute) have been achieved on profiles with a thickness up to twelve millimeters (1/2"), ten times faster than typical pultrusion processes with thermosets. Design Freedom — FULCRUM Technology can be welded, overextruded, overmolded, and thermoformed, thus bringing the design flexibility of thermoplastics to the world of composites. Environmental — The production process associated with FULCRUM Technology has no volatile organic compound emissions. The thermoplastic composites also are recyclable. The Future of FULCRUM Technology Last year’s award from INDUSTRY WEEK Magazine acknowledges the possibilities of FULCRUM Thermoplastic Composite Technology with its endless outlets for increased market penetration in areas typically not served by the traditional composite or thermoplastic materials. "The team for FULCRUM Technology is continuously working with licensees and customers to open new doors," stated Edwards. "This past year was key for us and we expect 2001 to be an exceptional growth year. We have a solid team in place to expand the technology and its uses, both in North America and in Europe. We will be sharing more exciting news about FULCRUM Technology throughout 2001 and 2002." Dow Plastics is the world’s largest supplier of plastics and high-performance polymers for a variety of industries, including automotive, durable goods and packaging. The Dow Engineering Plastics business possesses a strong amorphous and crystalline product portfolio, including MAGNUM* ABS resins, PULSE* PC/ABS engineering thermoplastic resins, TYRIL* SAN resins, CALIBRE* polycarbonate resins, FULCRUM Thermoplastic Composite Technology, PELLETHANE* thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomers, ISOPLAST* engineering thermoplastic polyurethane (ETPU) resins, QUESTRA* crystalline polymers, EMERGE* advanced resins, AMPLIFY* engineering thermoplastic alloys, PREVAIL* engineering resins and VYDYNE** nylon resins, as well as related compounds and blends. Dow is a leading science and technology company that provides innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $19 billion, Dow serves customers in 162 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the For Editorial Information Fulcrum Composites Incorporated info@fulcrumcomposites.com

 

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