A. Schulman Expands Commercialization of POLYBATCH® DUL Matte Masterbatch Products for Soft-Touch Packaging and Consumer Applications

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- A. Schulman, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: SHLM) today announced additional commercialization of its POLYBATCH® DUL matte compounds for satin-like, soft-touch packaging and consumer applications for the European market.

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The POLYBATCH® DUL products enable OEMs and plastic converters of flexible and rigid products to differentiate their products with a luxurious, high-quality look and feel.

"We are particularly proud of how we are able to bring these POLYBATCH®  innovations to the market, an effort that has been led by our European Technical Team, using the state-of-the-art pilot extrusion line in our Belgium facility," said Bernard Rzepka, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of A. Schulman, Europe. "These masterbatch products can be used with both polypropylene and polyethylene resins, and are running on a variety of processing equipment, including blown/cast film, blow molding and thermoformed sheet."

Primary features and benefits of POLYBATCH® DUL compounds include:

• Satin-like, soft touch for rigid and flexible packaging, which improves shelf appearance and product differentiation

• Consistent, high-quality surface for commercial applications utilizing high-speed film converting equipment

• Cost-effective alternative to surface lacquers, inorganic fillers or the need for embossing equipment

• FDA and European approvals for food packaging (with specific grades which are approved for food packaging by the FDA and EC)

• Excellent printability when using flexo inks, and conventional- and UV-cured offset inks

"We're enthusiastic about the global potential for these innovative compounds," said Paul Boulier, A. Schulman's Chief Marketing Officer. "Because these proprietary formulations have been developed with large-scale conversion processes and equipment in mind, we can provide OEMs and converters with superior package aesthetics and performance to satisfy a large addressable market in Europe, the Americas and eventually Asia."

Current applications in flexible packaging, in both mono- and co-extruded structures, include pouches, toothpaste tubes and margarine wraps. Selected products are also designed for rigid packaging, such as blow-molded bottles for foods, detergents and toiletries. Thermoformed containers are also being produced commercially, including for dairy products such as yogurt and other products. Other applications for POLYBATCH® DUL products include films for use in adhesive tapes, labels and protective films for numerous consumer and industrial markets. More product information can be found at www.aschulman.com/polybatchdul.

About A. Schulman, Inc.

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, A. Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins. These materials are used in a variety of consumer, industrial, automotive and packaging applications. The Company employs about 2,900 people and has 37 manufacturing facilities in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. On April 30, 2010, the Company completed its acquisition of ICO, Inc., a global manufacturer of specialty resins and concentrates for rotomolding and a provider of specialty polymer services. A. Schulman reported revenues of $1.3 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, and ICO reported revenues of $300 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Additional information about A. Schulman can be found at www.aschulman.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

A number of the matters discussed in this document that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments and may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts and relate to future events and expectations. Forward-looking statements contain such words as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which management is unable to predict or control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements, and that could adversely affect the Company's future financial performance, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• worldwide and regional economic, business and political conditions, including continuing economic uncertainties in some or all of the Company's major product markets;
• the effectiveness of the Company's efforts to improve operating margins through sales growth, price increases, productivity gains, and improved purchasing techniques;
• competitive factors, including intense price competition;
• fluctuations in the value of currencies in major areas where the Company operates;
• volatility of prices and availability of the supply of energy and raw materials that are critical to the manufacture of the Company's products, particularly plastic resins derived from oil and natural gas;
• changes in customer demand and requirements;
• effectiveness of the Company to achieve the level of cost savings, productivity improvements, growth and other benefits anticipated from acquisitions and restructuring initiatives;
• escalation in the cost of providing employee health care;
• uncertainties regarding the resolution of pending and future litigation and other claims;
• the performance of the North American auto market; and
• further adverse changes in economic or industry conditions, including global supply and demand conditions and prices for products.

The risks and uncertainties identified above are not the only risks the Company faces. Additional risk factors that could affect the Company's performance are set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and the most recent Form 10-Q. In addition, risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that it believes to be immaterial also may adversely affect the Company. Should any known or unknown risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, or underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, these developments could have material adverse effects on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. This document contains time-sensitive information that reflects management's best analysis only as of the date of this document. The Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new events, information or circumstances, or otherwise. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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SOURCE A. Schulman, Inc.