Florence, Ky., Jan. 29, 2009 – Ticona Engineering Polymers today announced it developed a new low warpage Vectra liquid crystal polymer (LCP) grade as part of a strategic expansion of its portfolio of V-0 halogen-free polymers for use in eco-friendly electrical and electronic components.

“Our new Vectra low warpage grade, E488i, is designed to improve warpage behavior resulting in flatter molded parts such as CPU sockets and DIMM connectors that must maintain extremely tight dimensional tolerances after lead free reflow soldering temperatures of 260 Celsius,” said Edson Ito, Vectra LCP technical marketing manager for Ticona.

Customer trials and Ticona tests using the new Vectra E488i showed less warpage of intricately designed connectors out of the mold and after reflow soldering, compared to parts molded with other commercially available LCP grades and high temperature nylons.

Vectra LCP, inherently flame resistant without the need for halogenated flame retardant additives, has a ULV-0 rating and is widely used by customers to make eco-friendly connectors, bobbins, switches and relays that meet Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) and European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives. In addition, customers and original equipment manufacturers are striving to accelerate the production of green and safe products. The Vectra LCP family of high-performance polymers, based on patented Ticona technology, has evolved to include innovative grades that keep pace with market needs for inherent flame resistance, thinner walls, higher temperature resistance, higher production rates, lower overall part costs and recyclability.

This new grade, which expands the portfolio of Vectra LCP, is designed to meet demanding specifications for electronic components with increased pin densities that enable increased bandwidth and higher speeds. For example, new connectors with 200 to 300 pins and sockets with about 1,000 pins require precise dimensional tolerances and complex meltflow paths that only a next generation higher performance polymer such asVectra LCP low warpage E488i can provide. Formulated with enhanced mechanical properties for design flexibility, Vectra LCP low warpage E488i offers:

• Reduced warpage
• High temperature resistance
• High flow
• Thin walls
• Fast cycle times

Ticona Enables Eco-Friendly Innovation

Ticona is a solutions-driven company and is well positioned to help develop eco-friendly innovations. For the ever-increasing demands of the electronics market, Ticona has a broad product line that complies with the RoHS, which limits the use of heavy metals and brominated flame retardants such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). The Ticona product line of “Polymers For Eco-Friendly Innovation^™” includes:

· Vectra LCP — Inherently flame resistant and halogen-free without 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.

· Fortron^® linear polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) — Satisfying the UL94 V-0 flammability rating without the addition of flame retardants, Fortron PPS is ideal for use in applications where exacting electrical properties are required, making it amaterial of choice for making connectors, switches and other applications such as jigs used in semiconductor production and testing.

· Celanex^® XFR^® thermoplasticpolyester (PBT) — V-0 and RoHS compliant with a proprietary flame-retardant system, the enhanced Celanex XFR PBTs will allow customers to use them as a virtual “dropin” replacement for most similarly available PBTs without having to modify designs, build new molds or make significant tooling changes.

· Riteflex^® XFR thermoplastic polyesterelastomer (TPC-ET) — The only TPC-ETs on the market that has a V 0 flammability rating at 1.5mm thickness for all colors, the new grades — Riteflex XFR 440 (Shore D Hardness of 40) and Riteflex XFR 440 (Shore D Hardness of 55) — help customers comply with anticipated hazardous substance restrictions and waste directives.

“Close to its markets and customers around the world, Ticona provides more than world class polymers such as Vectra LCP” said Thomas Petzel, global business line director — Vectra LCP and Fortron PPS. “Ticona, can help customers navigate the green landscape and design and develop competitive applications that use proven materials, that optimize processing methods and reduce total manufacturing costs.”

AboutTicona and Celanese

Ticona, the engineering polymers business ofCelanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products, and posted net sales of $1.03 billion in fiscal 2007.  Ticona employs approximately 2,000 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany, Brazil and China. For more information, please visit www.ticona.com or www.ticona.cn (Chinese language).

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 $6.4 billion in 2007, with approximately 70% 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 8,400 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.

Except where otherwise noted, all registeredtrademarks are owned by Ticona or its affiliates.