Polymers For Eco-Friendly Innovation

Florence, KY – July 16, 2008 – Ticona Engineering Polymers today announced that Meritec is specifying inherently flame resistant Vectra® liquid crystal polymer (LCP) to ensure its connectors for the electronics industry will comply with anticipated environmental laws, regulations and requirements.

Meritec, a division of Ohio Associated Enterprises LLC, a manufacturer of high performance electronic interconnect systems and connectors, designs its custom connectors and high speed cable assemblies almost exclusively to be molded from Vectra LCP to ensure they meet its goal of offering customers products that are RoHS compliant.

“Vectra LCP is halogen-free without the need for flame-retardant additives — it always was and always will be. In addition, Vectra LCP can endure short-term temperature exposure up to 340 Celsius to withstand lead-free soldering.” said Ed Hallahan, marketing manager — Vectra LCP. “With Vectra LCP, Meritec is in a position to offer its customers connectors that meet RoHS and European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives.”

Inherently flame resistant without the need for halogenated flame retardant additives, Vectra LCP is a family of high-performance polymers based on patented Ticona technology. Introduced 22 years ago, the product line has evolved to include innovative grades that keep pace with market needs for thinner walls, higher temperature resistance, higher production rates, lower overall part costs and recyclability. These properties have led to Vectra LCP becoming the material of choice in many electronic applications such connectors, bobbins, switches and relays.

“To keep the Meritec competitive edge, we need to make high-quality connectors that will meet today’s environmental regulations and legislation we anticipate will become law in the future,” said Ken Braund, sales and marketing manager for Meritec. “Eco-friendly products are no longer an option. Our customers are demanding that we provide them with environmentally friendly solutions such as connectors molded from Vectra LCP. And we anticipate many industries will follow the trend being set by the consumer electronics industry for more halogen-free components.”

As a highly crystalline, thermotropic (melt-orienting) thermoplastic, Vectra LCP also can withstand surface mount soldering temperatures, including those needed with lead-free solder.

“Halogen-free Vectra LCP is a proven high performance thermoplastic that is flame resistant and halogen-free without the need for flame retardant additives, enabling it to outperform traditional materials used in the electrical and electronics industry,” said Hallahan. “This is especially true in the case of newly developed halogen-free, high temperature materials, which use flame retardant additives that can cause processing issues, corrosion to barrels, screws and tooling, materials property degradation and surface imperfections.”

About Meritec
Meritec is a vertically integrated manufacturer and global supplier of specialty connectors and high-end cable assemblies including leading edge performance InfiniBand/CX4 Ethernet (SFF8470) cable assemblies and PCI Express right angle card edge board connectors. Meritec has been proudly manufacturing for more than 40 years in the U.S.A. For more information, please visit www.meritec.com or contact a Customer Service Representatives at 888-MERITEC (888-637-4832).

About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products , and achieved net sales of $915 million in 2006. Ticona employs approximately 2,000 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil. For more information, please visit www.ticona.com.

As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation 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 over 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.