GE Global Research Innovation Update - Plastics and Specialty Materials Innovations January 21, 2003.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2003

The average consumer probably wouldn't recognize the products made by GE Plastics and GE Specialty Materials, but these items are an integral part of almost everything we encounter in our everyday lives - from cosmetics and coffee pots to CDs, cell phones and automobiles.

This edition of GE's Innovation Update highlights some of the latest innovations in the area of plastics and specialty materials.

GE Makes U.S. Patent "Top 10" List

Although just announced last week, it appears GE's new slogan, "Imagination at Work," is already embodied in the minds of its employees: The U.S. Patent Office recently announced that GE was awarded 1,416 patents in 2002 - a dramatic 27% increase over the previous year. Officially ranked eighth on the U.S. Patent Office's "Top Ten" list, GE along with IBM (ranked first) and Hewlett Packard (ranked ninth) continue to lead the trend of American corporations whose patents "promote technological progress and stimulate economic growth and investment in commerce, creating jobs for millions of Americans."

GE's LEXAN(R) Resin Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation

2003 marks the 50th anniversary of the invention of LEXAN(R) resin, a uniquely strong, clear and lightweight plastic. Commonly known as polycarbonate, LEXAN was created in 1953 by GE chemist Dan Fox. Since that time, LEXAN resin has become one of the most widely engineered materials in the world and has contributed to product revolutions in virtually every industry. It has made cars safer and lighter, enabled the digitization of music and film as CDs and DVDs, and ushered in new design trends in computers, cell phones and dozens of other products. It's also an important part of security in the form of LEXGARD(R) laminated bullet-resistant window glazing.

Fifty years after Dr. Fox's invention, GE Plastics has introduce a new material called LEXAN(R) SLX a high-gloss, scratch-resistant, highly weatherable plastic film that can eliminate the need to paint cars, potentially saving the auto industry billions of dollars.

LEXAN(R) ZigZag(TM) Polycarbonate Panel Marks Major Innovation in Greenhouse Roofing

GE Plastics recently announced the availability of LEXAN(R) ZigZag(TM), a new panel material for greenhouse roofing. Unlike glass, LEXAN ZigZag is virtually unbreakable, flame retardant, easy to install and clean, and prohibits condensation, growth of algae and UV damage. Additionally, LEXAN ZigZag's unique construction creates 45 percent more heat retention than single glass, which may reduce peak energy usage by up to 50 percent - a major cost savings.

Already, LEXAN ZigZag has won international recognition: GE LEXAN ZigZag was recently awarded the 2002 Elsevier Horti Fair's international innovation prize for the energy-saving, thermoplastic greenhouse glazing panel. The most prestigious international event for the food and floral horticulture industry, the Horti fair attracts 55,000 attendees from 50 different countries.

GE's BLENDEX BMAT Reduces Gloss in Plastic Products

When it comes to items like cell phones, computers and televisions, no gloss is good gloss due to the glare and frequent smudging that occurs when a person handles the objects. Unfortunately, many polymer systems are naturally glossy when formed into the final part shape and until now, products to combat gloss were either too expensive or caused substantial product performance loss. To combat this problem, GE developed BLENDEX BMAT, a specially cross-linked SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer) that reduces gloss in some polymer systems. This patented additive achieves low gloss at lower loadings than some competitive materials with less impact on the performance properties of the product.

BLENDEX BMAT provides a very good gloss reduction performance for the market price. The broad compatibility provided by SAN as the base polymer allows the product to be used with minimal affect to performance properties.

GE Quartz Acquires Advanced Ceramics Corporation and Advanced Ceramics International Corporation to Form GE Advanced Ceramics

In November 2002, GE Specialty Materials acquired Advanced Ceramics Corporation and Advanced Ceramics International Corporation (ACC and ACIC) as part of the GE Quartz business. The combined group is now called GE Advanced Ceramics.

Advanced Ceramics produced a wide range of products, including boron nitride crucibles that are used to grow wafers for use in wireless phones and LED's. The group is also responsible for developing boron nitride powders that add softness and smoothness to cosmetics and high temperature ceramics that evaporate metal in the production of glossy plastics used in gift-wrap, bottle labels and potato chip bags.

For more information on these announcements and other information about GE Global Research, please contact Jim Healy at [phone]/[e-mail] or Amanda Hamilton at [phone]/[e-mail].