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August issue.

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Elastomers Distributor Sees Signs of Market Recovery

2/1/2010 - Principals at Alliance Polymers and Services, LLC, predict sales of TPUs (thermoplastic polyurethanes), among other soft elastomers, will grow 20 percent to 30 percent during the first quarter of 2010, most notably in the automotive and industrial sectors. These forecasts are based on company sales and customer inquiries this past quarter (fourth quarter 2009). APS began operations in 2009 as a single-stop-shop for both product sales and personalized hands-on technical support for companies needing specialized thermoplastic elastomers. Alliance is said to have become the fastest growing full service elastomer distributor and technical support service firm in North America. Giving credibility to the firms’ projections that TPEs are coming back strong is the fact that sales have been extremely good for APS, and much stronger than anticipated, according to company officials. “We’re seeing a definite increase in interest by designers, processors and marketers of plastic products, resulting in an unexpected spurt in sales,” noted Stephane Morin, co-founder of APS. “Compared to sales of similar polymers over the past months,” the plastics industry executive continued, “inquiries and orders these past 90-120 days have resulted in a massive jump compared to what the market was experiencing previously. We see a particular surge in interest for elastomers in two areas: automotive and industrial applications, and particularly for materials that provide a high degree of softness and durability.” As to why he attributes this spurt in elastomers revenues when both interest and sales have lagged over the past 15 months previous to October, 2009, Morin offers an answer. “Emphasis is now on finding more cost-effective product solutions and enhancements from companies that have accessibility to immediate inventories, can adjust formulations or provide additives to meet specific needs and/or who can provide personalized high level technical support.” With sales of elastomers increasing by as much as low double digits so far the past quarter, Morin and his associates predict that this is only the start of the resurgence of new growth in the many markets where TPEs (including TPUs, TPOs, TPRs and TPVs) are used, targeted for use or desired because of their favorable processing and end-use features and benefits. Alliance Polymers and Services, LLC, with headquarters, warehousing, shipping and technical support in Romulus, MI, is a full-service warehousing, distribution, shipping and technical service organization dedicated to helping TPU and other elastomer marketers and processors with all their product and technical support needs. The company is owned and operated by Roger J. Huarng and Stephane Morin, formerly with BASF Corporation.

Alliance Polymers and Services, LLC
www.alliance-tpu.com

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