Cyclics Sees Sizeable Growth in Nano Technology; Cyclics' Plastic Supports Nano-composite Materials

SCHWARZHEIDE, Germany--March 16, 2005--The properties of Cyclics CBT(R) resin have been taken to a higher level of performance through the use of nano-scale additives. The addition of nano-scale clays to CBT resin results in a stable nano-composite structure that produces a system with higher thermal stability, strength, stiffness, dimensional stability and barrier to solvent and gas penetration. CBT resin is uniquely effective in creating nano-materials because it allows the tiny nano-sized particles to easily disperse in the molten CBT resin and remain evenly distributed throughout the resin as it re-solidifies. The resulting parts made from this system benefit from a combination of properties not previously possible with traditional engineering thermoplastics.

Nanotechnology involves the design, manufacture and use of extremely small particles and structures that are of a size comparable to the molecules that make up matter. One nanometer is one billionth of a meter (less than 0.00000000003 inches). A strand of hair is approximately 150,000 nanometers wide. Nano-scale particles that, when effectively dispersed, provide unique performance improvements include organo-clays, nano-tubes, super talc and more.

"The problem in the past has always been dispersing the particles to maximize their effectiveness. Due to its low melt viscosity, CBT resin has been shown to be an ideal material to create and maintain the even distribution of nano-particles in an engineering thermoplastic," according to Gary Faler, Chief Technology Officer for Cyclics Corporation. "Consider that the polymerized CBT resin is compatible with many other resins and that further broadens the scope."

"The availability of a wide range of nano-materials means that we can leverage the unique processing advantages of CBT resin to create new classes of materials that possess both the strengths of our resin and the enhancements gained through the use of nano-scale materials," said Roman Eder, Managing Director of Cyclics Europe GmbH. "As the diversity of materials developed through nanotechnology expands, so will the opportunities for CBT resin."

Cyclics' Plastic Supports Nano-composite Materials

Cyclics first CBT resin plant, located in Schwarzheide, Germany, will be stretched to an annual production rate of over 10 million pounds in 2006. By the fourth quarter of 2005, Cyclics will announce the location of its second plant, expected to have an annual capacity of 50-100 million pounds. There has been no decision as to the new plant's location with a number of sites under consideration.

Cyclics Corporation, headquartered in Schenectady, New York, U.S.A. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cyclics Europe GmbH, based in Schwarzheide, Germany, manufacture innovative plastics that offer breakthroughs in processing, making new products possible and changing the economics of existing ones. The water-like processing viscosities of Cyclics' engineering thermoplastic products offer improvements in performance and productivity for structural composites, compounding, casting, nanocomposites, coatings and rotational molding. Cyclics has alliances with Ahlstrom Glassfibre Oy, Alcan Composites, BASF, Davy Process Technology, Dow Automotive and The P Group.

(R) CBT is a Registered Trademark of Cyclics Corporation.