3P Announces Price Increase on Select Product Lines.

HOUSTON -- Effective immediately, 3P - Performance Plastics Products Inc. will increase prices on select high performance plastic product lines in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to Bob Kouk, vice president of Sales and Marketing, "This pricing initiative is necessary to offset significant increases in raw materials, energy and labor costs incurred during 2004. 3P has held prices firm since 2000 through ongoing improvements in our business processes. We now find ourselves in a position where the magnitude of the cost increases has eclipsed our ability to offset them.

"Prices for high performance raw materials and resins such as PTFE, ETFE, PPA, PFA, PPS and other engineered thermoplastic materials have increased by 5% to 20% this year," he continued. "Additionally, specialty additives such as molybdenum and bronze have risen by 300% and 20% respectively in recent months and finally, the cost of energy has increased by more than 40% over the last twelve months. Although we understand the challenge this imparts to our customers, we remain committed to developing new and innovative solutions that provide the outstanding value that the marketplace has come to expect from 3P. "

3P - Performance Plastics Products Inc. - a division of the Plastic Omnium group of companies - is a global leader in the manufacture of custom components made from high performance thermoplastics and fluoropolymers, and has over 40 years of experience.

For more information on 3P's products and services, please contact Heather Peden, Marketing Communications Manager at 281-774-6288 or visit us on the Web at www.plasticomnium.com/3p.