State-of-the-art glass fiber sizing, CSM binder and secondary binder technology set benchmarks for quality and functionality

Paris, France, 3 April 2007 – The emulsion polymers and PVOH business of Celanese exhibited its broad range of leading edge technologies at the JEC Composites show in Paris this week. A leader in delivering performance solutions to the glass fiber industry for decades, Celanese’s portfolio of polymer emulsions, polyvinyl alcohols and starches are integral technologies in efficient glass fiber sizing, in the production of chopped strand mats (CSM) and in secondary binder applications. Celanese also discussed new data that shows synergies when these technologies are combined in CSM applications and highlighted its industry-benchmark sizing binder – Vinamul 8852.

According to Paolo Bavaj, marketing manager for Glass Fiber, the keys to Celanese’s ability to deliver performance to the glass fiber industry are its extensive technology portfolio and the company’s experience in putting that technology to work in a broad range of applications. “For more than 40 years, Celanese products have been at the heart of the glass fiber industry’s impressive growth around the world. Our technology has allowed the commercialization of glass fiber into exciting new applications and at the same time has raised standards for quality and performance,” he said. “Our goal is to deliver the best performance for our customers’ glass fiber applications. Celanese is a fully integrated emulsion polymer supplier with dedicated teams in both R&D and technical service in the glass fiber industry. When combined, our technology portfolio and our industry-leading experience allow us to deliver the cutting edge of performance that helps our customers compete in a global marketplace,” he added.

Broad ranging applicability
Celanese products are improving quality and performance in a range of critical glass fiber manufacturing operations, including glass fiber and yarn sizing (with synthetic and natural polymers), CSM binding, glass fiber tissue (veil) binding, wall covering binding, and other applications including coating of wall coverings, fabrics and scrims. According to Bavaj, the company also brings extensive expertise in the field of thermoset glass fiber reinforcement and has direct roving and FRTP sizing products under development.

New data show synergies with complementary Celanese technologies
Recent studies by Celanese scientists have uncovered new opportunities for enhanced production in glass fiber applications using complementary technologies. In the manufacture of a wide range of end products, the speed and degree of wet-out of chopped strand mats in styrene is a critical metric of performance. These studies show that using both a Celanese sizing system and Celanese binder creates positive performance synergies versus competitive chemistries because the two technologies are by themselves higher performing and more compatible.

Vinamul®  8852: The industry benchmark in sizing systems
One of the most important technologies exhibited by Celanese at JEC Composites 2007 was its industry-benchmark sizing binder for production of assembled rovings – Vinamul® 8852. This highly modified vinyl acetate offers excellent compatibility with a wide range of sizing additives and with styrenated resins in the production of gun rovings, panel rovings and rovings for CSM input glass. Vinamul 8852 offerings excellent sizing efficiency and particle size control. It delivers fast wet out in styrenated resins and high laminate clarity. Because of its balanced molecular weight and Tg, Vinamul 8852 offers the right equilibrium between strand integrity and choppability. Fuzz levels generated during the roving manufacturing process are extremely low with this technology. Vinamul 8852 has an excellent environmental profile, because it is APEO-free, exhibits low VOC levels and has a low level of preservatives.

According to Bavaj, Celanese’s more than 40 years of working with the glass fiber industry means that the company has a knowledge base that can deliver performance. “At Celanese, our R&D centers are constantly at work developing our technologies for new and emerging applications. At the same time, we support our existing customers and their work with a highly trained local technical service team,” he said. “At Celanese, we focus on helping our customers increase performance and enhance quality, while  supporting them in turn to deliver value to their customers,” he added.

As a global leader in polymer emulsions, Celanese is fully committed to the global glass fiber industry. Celanese currently has thirteen world-class production facilities in Europe and North America. Late in 2007, new production will come on stream in Nanjing, China, which is part of a fully integrated complex that Celanese is currently building.

About the Emulsions & PVOH Business of Celanese
The Emulsions & PVOH business of Celanese is a global leader in the development and application of polymer emulsion and PVOH technology to improve performance, create value and drive innovation in a broad range of industrial and consumer end-use applications including adhesives, coatings, engineered fabrics, glass fibers, paper, textiles and more.  The business has 14 manufacturing facilities and seven R&D Centers of Excellence in North America, Europe and Asia.  More information about the Emulsions & PVOH business of Celanese is available at www.connectcelanese.com.

About Celanese
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE) makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.7 billion in 2006, with approximately 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.