Green Building Products from Hexion and TTS

Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc., the world’s leading producer of resins and adhesives for industrial applications, announced today it will partner with Tekle Technical Services, Inc. (TTS), a biocomposites company, to develop “green” building products for the construction industry.

Hexion and TTS recently signed an agreement formalizing their intent to collaborate on commercial development of building materials utilizing TTS’ natural fibre-based materials and Hexion’s industry leading resin systems, including those featuring its Ecobind ultra low-emitting resin technology.

Hexion will aid TTS in its efforts to develop unique composite materials that include:

composite panels using agriculture, forestry and municipal waste fibre sources;
engineered fibre mat products using agricultural and forestry fibres;
structural insulated panels reinforced with natural fibres;
natural fibre cement composites, and;
fibre plastic composites.

Under the agreement, Hexion will develop resins, adhesives, catalysts and additives for use in TTS products, and will provide technical services and support from its regional forest products R&D centre located in Edmonton, Alberta.

“Combining Hexion’s industry-leading low-emitting resin systems with the natural fibre expertise of TTS will help TTS provide the construction industry with new, environmentally suitable products with enhanced sustainability characteristics,” said Carlos Nuila, vice president, research & development for Hexion’s Forest Products Division

The recognized leader in resin technology for the forest products and construction industries, Hexion continues to provide environmentally advanced systems that reduce emissions in both the production environment and in finished products. Its EcoBind resin technology is helping wood panel producers meet the most stringent global emission standards and is being trialed in other construction applications to help reduce emissions and improve new building air quality. In another initiative, Hexion’s Albecor bio-based powdered coatings system received a 2008 R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine citing it as one of the top 100 innovations last year.

“Hexion is committed to helping our customers continue to improve their products, reduce or eliminate product emissions and enhance product sustainability,” Nuila said.

About Hexion Specialty Chemicals
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Hexion Specialty Chemicals serves the global wood and industrial markets through a broad range of thermoset resin technologies, specialty products and technical support for customers in a diverse range of applications and industries. Hexion Specialty Chemicals is controlled by an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P.

About Tekle Technical Services
Based in Edmonton, Alberta, TTS is a leading research and development facility focused on designing sustainable bio-fibre based building products. It specializes in product development and testing, as well as process and technology enhancement.

Contact
Peter F. Loscocco (Vice President, Public Affairs)
Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
Tel.: 001-614-225-41 27
E-Mail: peter.loscocco@hexion.com

Tamrat Tekle, A.I.W.Sc.
President, TTS Inc.
Tel.: 001-780-465-15 32
E-Mail: tam.tekle@ttsfpl.com