New dual- and tri-layer system helps OEMs meet PZEV and CARB emission standards without the multiple layers required in other options like EVOH

Agawam, MA & Alpharetta, GA, Nov. 7, 2007 – Solvay Advanced Polymers has worked with W. Müller USA, a global leader in blow molding technology, to perfect a head design or extruding and blow-molding the newly formulated Ixef® polyarylamide resin for use in low-permeation barrier fuel system applications. The new equipment will offer blow molders a cost-effective option to manufacture fuel barrier components that meet the exacting standards of the EPA’s Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) and California Air Resource Board (CARB) automotive and small off-road engine emission regulations.“We’ve been working with Solvay on samples and process validation,” explained Elmar Spohr, President of W. Müller USA. “The initial results are quite promising. We believe this can be a highly effective option for blow molders who are evaluating how they want to address the new CARB requirements on fuel tanks. This set-up will be a viable option for molders who have not yet invested in multi-layer systems for producing fuel containment systems.”

Since introducing the new Ixef® polyarylamide in March, Solvay Advanced Polymers has worked with W. Müller on head configurations for molding the material. Unlike traditional ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH) constructions, which require five or more layers of material, the new Ixef® grade can meet CARB requirements with twoand three-layer constructions. While the thickness of the wall remains the same in both cases, the EVOH parison design typically runs with thicker layers of materials forming the inner walls – polyethylene (PE) and the regrind layer – followed by thin walls of barrier and tie materials, and finally a larger PE layer filling the outer wall.

For products made of Ixef polyarylamide construction, only a very thin wall of the barrier material is necessary for the innermost layer. Therein lay the challenge for Solvay Advanced Polymers – proper head design and establishing processing parameters to ensure optimum cooling and adhesion. Today’s announcement marks the completion of significant testing for the new design. Solvay Advanced Polymers will launch a full rollout with W. Müller upon completion of final phase trials later this year.

“We’re excited about what this means for our customers and the industry at large,” explained Maria Gallahue, Solvay Advanced Polymers’ Global Market Manager. “For those OEMs who felt priced out of the CARB fuel market, or who felt their options limited, this breakthrough presents a whole new set of possibilities for creating new CARB-compliant solutions.”

About W. Müller USA Company
Since the founding days of W. Müller Company, we have focused on innovation for the blow molding industry. Our specialty is heads and extruders for most applications and almost all blow molding machines. We have been designing and manufacturing this equipment for over 25 years. As a family-owned business with 70 employees at four locations, we are able to provide our expertise to our customers worldwide.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. This gives design engineers worldwide more ways to solve top design challenges in automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace and other demanding industries. Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. Its companies employ some 29,000 people in 50 countries. In 2006, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.4 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals.