Tampa, FL — October 4, 2001 — Dow Plastics† announced today several significant strides to expand the application potential of its breakthrough FULCRUM* thermoplastic composite technology, including the construction of a research and development (R&D) facility, and the signing of a new licensee for the technology.

Research & Development Facility for FULCRUM Technology

A state-of-the-art facility dedicated to FULCRUM technology is currently under construction at Dow's LaPorte, Texas, site. "FULCRUM technology has enabled Dow to open new market avenues never before possible in the composites industry. We are extremely excited about the potential this R&D facility has to further drive development efforts," said Ed d'Hooghe, technology leader for FULCRUM technology. d'Hooghe expects the initial stages of the facility to be complete and a first line to be operational before the end of the year. "We will use this line to accelerate our technology development and the commercialization of new applications," he said.

CTC Signs License Agreement for FULCRUM Technology

The newest Dow licensee for FULCRUM thermoplastic composite technology, Composites Technology Company (CTC) (Boone, Ia., USA), will be using the technology in its THERMOMASS® Building System, an insulated concrete panel wall system. Specifically, FULCRUM technology will be used to manufacture a new line of CTC's THERMOMASS® fiber composite connector.

According to Robert T. Long, founder and executive vice president of CTC, the two main components of the THERMOMASS® Building system consist of fiber composite connectors and pre-formed STYROFOAM* brand insulation. The components are used to connect two wythes of concrete to form a long-lasting, energy-efficient sandwich wall.

"FULCRUM technology is critical to the success of the structure. The connectors made with FULCRUM technology possess remarkable strength and durability and are greatly superior to steel rods in sandwich wall panel applications," said Long.

The production speed, toughness and corrosion resistance achieved through the use of FULCRUM technology provides CTC with a unique competitive advantage. According to Long, another benefit of using FULRUM technology to produce THERMOMASS® fiber composite connectors is that the connectors are non-corrosive and possess low thermal conductivity, thus eliminating thermal short circuits.

For the past 20 years, Long has been working with thermoset composites and hoping for a thermoplastic alternative that could be recycled and overmolded. "FULCRUM technology provides us with an opportunity to greatly expand our market reach. We are currently testing in Europe and are excited about the business potential," he said.

For years, CTC has helped to redefine the concept of efficient, long-lasting and cost-effective construction. Quiet, safe and maintenance free, the THERMOMASS® structure is also hurricane, tornado and fire resistant. The pre-cast and tilt-up concrete panels are commonly used for construction of schools, correctional facilities, retail stores, warehouses and cold storage facilities, but the system has recently been scaled down for use by residential contractors. The THERMOMASS® structure maintains more than 99 percent of the insulation value, greatly reducing heating and cooling costs. The system also has an ecological benefit. CTC estimates that building a home with the THERMOMASS® system uses 75 percent less wood, which equates to saving 55 mature trees per home built.

"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. "We are thrilled about the licensing opportunity with CTC. Applications made using FULCRUM technology, like the concrete panels, provide strong material solutions for demanding applications."

FULCRUM Technology Enables Commercial Status for Applications

Dow is also working with other 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.
  
  
• 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.

"The team for FULCRUM thermoplastic composite technology is continuously working with licensees and customers to open new doors," stated Edwards. "We have an excellent team in place to expand the technology and its uses, and look forward to sharing new application success models throughout 2002."

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 approximately $30 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 170 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 principles of Sustainable Development, Dow and its 50,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities.

For more information about Composites Technology Company, visit the company's Web site at www.THERMOMASS.com or call 1.800.232.1748. Call +515.433.6075 outside of the United States. Or, email CTC at info@thermomass.com.

For More Information:

†Dow Plastics, a business group of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries.
*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company
®THERMOMASS building system and THERMOMASS fiber composite connectors are registered trademarks of Composite Technology Company

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