FULCRUM Technology from Dow Enables Superior Solutions For Demanding End-Use Applications Paris, France - 04/09/2002 - FULCRUM* thermoplastic composite technology from Dow Plastics? is enabling a variety of licensees to achieve commercial status with competitively advantaged applications. "FULCRUM technology is pushing the boundaries by offering unprecedented strength, toughness and damage tolerance to end-use applications," said Marc Gagnon, applications development manager for FULCRUM technology. "Applications made using FULCRUM technology provide strong material solutions for demanding end-use applications." Dow is working with licensees that are using FULCRUM thermoplastic composite technology for the production of continuous fiber thermoplastic composites, with exciting results. "The expertise provided by these licensees, coupled with our ability to bring innovative composite solutions to the marketplace, is creating new growth opportunities and value for the end-user," said Chris Edwards, business development manager for FULCRUM technology. New application developments include: Sail battens by Top Glass S.p.A. (Pioltello, Milan, Italy) - A leader in the composites industry, Top Glass is using FULCRUM technology to expand its line of standard structural and custom profiles. The sail battens are made via a hollow, curved profile, which is then flattened at the end where lower stiffness is needed, allowing the sail to be bent to a more efficient airfoil shape. (JEC Stand #I6) THERMOMASS® Fiber Composite Connector by CTC (Boone, Ia., USA) - Composite Technologies Corporation (CTC) uses FULCRUM technology to manufacture a new line of CTC?s THERMOMASS® fiber composite connector, a main component of the THERMOMASS® Building system in which two wythes of concrete are connected to form a long-lasting, energy-efficient sandwich wall. The connectors made with FULCRUM technology possess remarkable strength and durability and are greatly superior to steel rods in sandwich wall panel applications due to their non-corrosiveness and low thermal conductivity. Bolts by Click Bond (Carson City, Nev., USA) - Click Bond has developed a process used to make thermoformed bolts from pultruded FULCRUM technology profiles. The process allows the continuous axial fibers present from the pultrusion process to be pushed into the threads, ensuring excellent thread strength. Although Click Bonds? historical market is the aerospace industry, the new bolts also are targeted for larger-volume marine, transportation and chemical infrastructure applications. Tool handles - Prototype tool handles from profiles made using FULCRUM technology have been developed. Stronger than thermoset tool handles, they can be overextruded with soft overlays and can have features such as threads and ergonomic curves formed into them. *Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company †Dow Plastics, a business group of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries. For Editorial Information: Fulcrum Composites Incorporated info@fulcrumcomposites.com

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