Zotefoams Regulatory News (ZTF)

7 August 2012

Zotefoams plc

("Zotefoams" or "the Company")

Dow and MuCell Extrusion LLC Enter Exclusive Agreement to License Dow's Foamed Films Patent Portfolio

Collaboration will bring higher value to both companies' customer offerings

Woburn, MA and Houston, TX - Aug. 6, 2012 - Dow Performance Packaging, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), and MuCell Extrusion LLC, a 100% subsidiary of Zotefoams plc (LSE:ZTF), announced that MuCell will exclusively license Dow's Thin Foamed Films Patent family, using MuCell innovative Foaming technology to create physically foamed films for all film applications. This contract will further the two companies' relationship as innovation collaborators.

The agreement not only eliminates existing confusion among potential customers as to patent and licensing obligations, but it also provides a clear demarcation of responsibilities for support of these foaming technologies. Dow will continue to offer resins specially formulated to optimize foaming results while MuCell will provide hands-on technology transfer equipment and technical support to customers.

"Dow has a great business relationship with MuCell and we look forward to creating the new portfolio together," said Greg Bunker, Associate Marketing Director at Dow. "Foaming films is an excellent route to more sustainable packaging by reducing the usage of resin by 10-20 percent. Through this agreement, both companies are demonstrating their commitment to create superior foamed products that have less impact on the environment. The results will help our customers address their sustainability platforms and develop low environmental impact technology."

This agreement follows from a similar strategic agreement from earlier this year, wherein Dow and MuCell Extrusion LLC reached an agreement for MuCell Extrusion to exclusively license Dow's patent family on flat sheet resin technology.

"We provide expertise in process development and equipment packages necessary to implement the technology, and Dow offers formulation expertise in resins to streamline the process. This agreement not only marries two steps in the value chain, supply and processing, but that all of the relevant intellectual property for both film and flat sheet resin technology has now been bundled into one source," said Mark Lindenfelzer, president of MuCell Extrusion LLC. "We have no doubt that this will be a successful venture for MuCell, Dow and our clients."

More About MuCell Technology

MuCell technology is based on the direct injection of atmospheric gas (N2 or CO2) in its supercritical state. Injection during the supercritical state allows for a single-phase gas/polymer solution. Microcellular structure and controlled product density is achieved by the accurate control of gas concentration in combination with the proper release of extrusion pressure. MuCell has applied this technology to most plastic materials and processes. Polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), urethanes, polystyrene (PS), fluoropolymers, and many copolymers have been used extensively with MuCell technology. Rigid sheet, low-density flexible sheet, film, pipe/tubing, and blow molding manufacturing processes are also compatible with MuCell technology. MuCell Extrusion LLC's innovative and accessible technology brings significant material weight-savings and cost reduction opportunities, without compromising physical product performance to a broad range of applications within the plastics manufacturing industry.

More About MuCell Extrusion LLC

MuCell Extrusion LLC licenses technology for your own unique application and provides complete support until your product is developed and in production. From Intellectual Property rights to process development, MuCell offers support through every step. Our team will work with you through the engineering and design phases to ensure that your screw, barrel, gas injector, or die is working flawlessly. While MuCell does not sell additives, polymers, or finished products, our technology and support will provide you with all that you need for your production. The corporate headquarters of MuCell Extrusion LLC are located at 200 Cummings Park, Suite 212, Woburn, MA 01810. For more information, please visit www.mucellextrusion.com.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com. For more information about Dow's flexible packaging solutions, please visit Flexible Food and Specialty Packaging.

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For Dow editorial information:

The Dow Chemical Company

Corey Newsom

+1 281-966-4245

Cnewsom@dow.com

Gibbs & Soell

Cassidy Christian

+1 312-648-6700 x 2101

Cchristian@gibbs-soell.com 

For information on MuCell Extrusion LLC and Zotefoams plc:

Zotefoams plc

David Stirling

+44 20 8664 1600

FTI Consulting

John Dineen / Victoria Foster Mitchell

+44 20 7831 3113