Polyester Binder forms recyclable auto headliners.

Press Release Summary:



Celanex® polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) copolymer binder, which melts at 147°C, creates all-polyester hood and trunk liners in non-reactive, thermal operation. It meets European recyclability regulations and is used in powdered form to fuse mat of polyethylene terephthalate staple fibers that melts at 250-257°C. Material bonds various other fibers in felts or fabrics and can be fabricated as staple fiber, sheet, or film or coextruded over PBT fiber.



Original Press Release:



Low-Melt Polyester Binder from Ticona Forms Lower-Weight, Recyclable Auto Headliners



Weigh Less than Cotton Shoddy or Glass Fiber-Phenolic Liners; Meet European Recyclability Regulations

Summit, New Jersey; Kelsterbach, Germany, April 26, 2004 - A new low-melt polyester binder material from Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese AG (NYSE: CZ; FSE: CZZ), is being used to create all-polyester auto headliners, hood liners and trunk liners that weigh significantly less than traditional liners made with cotton shoddy or glass fibers impregnated with phenolic resin. The all-polyester liners meet European recyclability regulations, while phenolic-based liners do not.

The Celanex ® polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) copolymer binder melts at 147°C and is used in powdered form to fuse a mat of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) staple fibers that melts at 250° to 257°C. The all-polyester liners are formed in a non-reactive, thermal operation. Phenolic-based liners must be heated sufficiently to allow the phenolic resin to react and adequately cure.

"Initial trials indicate that polyester headliners made with Celanex ® PBT binder material give automakers a range of essential benefits, including better thermal and sound insulation and weight reduction compared to phenolic-based liners," says Kari Karandikar, Marketing Specialist. "The all-polyester liners have comparable stiffness to those made with phenolic resin."

The versatile Celanex ® PBT binder material has many other potential applications. It can be used to bond a variety of fibers in felts or fabrics. It also can be fabricated as staple fiber, sheet, or film, or coextruded over PBT fiber. These forms present many possibilities. For example, if standard PBT and Celanex ® PBT binder material fibers are commingled and heated above 147°C, the Celanex ® fibers will bind the mass together.

For more information

For information on Celanex ® PBT binder materials and other Celanex ® PBT products, contact: Ticona, 90 Morris Avenue, Summit, New Jersey, 07901, USA. Phone: 1-800-833-4882 or 1-908-522-7500. Email: prodinfo@ticona.com. In Europe: Ticona GmbH, Professor-Staudinger-Straße, D-65451 Kelsterbach, Germany. Phone: +49-(0)180-584-2662 (DE) or +49-(0)693-051-6299 (EU). Email: infoservice@ticona.de. Or visit www.ticona.com.

About Ticona and Celanese

Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese AG, Kronberg, Germany, produces and markets a broad range of engineering polymers and achieved sales of 675 million in 2003. Ticona has approximately 2,000 employees at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil.

Celanese AG is a global chemicals company with leading positions in its key products and world class process technology. The Celanese portfolio consists of four main businesses: Chemical Products, Acetate Products, Technical Polymers Ticona, and Performance Products. The Performance Products business consists of Nutrinova sweeteners and food ingredients.

Celanese generated sales of around 4.1 billion in 2003 and has about 9,500 employees. The company has 24 production plants and six research centers in 10 countries mainly in North America, Europe and Asia. Celanese AG shares are listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange (symbol CZZ) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol CZ).

For further information about Ticona and Celanese, please visit our websites: www.ticona.com and www.celanese.com.

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