Advanced Polymer Alloys' Alcryn® MPR™ 2100 Series Approved for GM's High-End

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 7, 2005 – Advanced Polymer Alloys (APA), a division of Ferro Corporation (NYSE: FOE) and the world's leading supplier of Melt-Processible Elastomers™ (MPEs), announces that its Alcryn® Melt-Processible Rubber™ (MPR) 2100 series has been approved by General Motors for use in one of the automaker's most popular, high-end sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

GM has already specified other Alcryn MPR grades for use in its cars and trucks because of the durability and outstanding BSR (buzz, squeak, and rattle) reduction features. This latest approval is for the use of APA's Alcryn MPR 2100 series bonded in an over-mold process to PC/ABS for an SUV A-Pillar exterior reveal molding part.

"Using the Alcryn 2100 series, GM achieves better bond strength to engineered thermoplastic substrates and a more durable seal in the harsh exterior environment than they would with a typical TPE," said Jeff Senich, business development manager for APA. "When molders and OEMs use Alcryn bonding grades they can design two shot parts using a wide variety of substrates. This reduces total costs by eliminating a step in the manufacturing process. Plus they end up with a functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing part worthy of GM's SUV heritage. No compromises are necessary."

The Alcryn MPR 2100 series adheres securely to PC, ABS, PC/ABS alloys, ASA, ASA/PC, PBT alloys, copolyester elastomers, and flexible and rigid PVC. APA designed the material specifically for over-mold and co-extrusion processing. The 2100 series has a bonding performance advantage over olefin-based TPVs, giving designers the benefit of integrated seal performance in a wider range of ETP substrates. The material is engineered for high performance applications that require durability and body noise reduction in challenging environments.

About Alcryn MPR
Alcryn MPR delivers the durable performance characteristics of rubber and easily processes on conventional plastics equipment, which provides cost savings over vulcanized rubber. Alcryn MPR does not require compounding or pre-drying before processing. Since parts made from Alcryn require no vulcanization, scrap can be recycled repeatedly with no detrimental effect on performance or appearance. When compared to soft TPEs and many vulcanized rubbers, Alcryn MPR outperforms in durability, coefficient of friction, and resistance to abrasion, chemicals, oils, fuels, and long-term exposure to sunlight and other aspects of weathering. Every grade in the product line can be made flame-retardant using a concentrate supplied by APA.

About APA
Advanced Polymer Alloys (APA), a division of Ferro Corporation, is the world 's leading supplier of Melt-Processible Elastomers (MPEs).

APA's broad line of elastomers spans the entire TPE price/performance range – from the wide appeal of soft, affordable DuraGrip®, to top-performing Alcryn MPR, the world's only melt-processible rubber.

Bridging the gap between design vision and engineering reality, APA's unique material innovations deliver ideal performance properties to enhance the quality, appeal, and marketability of virtually every product.

APA's goal is to provide customers with optimal material solutions for their specific needs – whether drawing from our full MPE line or compounding custom alloys.

Ferro Corporation is a major international producer of performance materials for industry, including coatings and performance chemicals. The company has operations in 20 countries and recorded sales of $1.6 billion in 2003.

For more information on the company's product line, visit APA on the web at www.APAinfo.com or call 888-663-6005.