Cariflex™ Isoprene Rubber Latex: The Choice for High Quality Surgical Gloves

HOUSTON, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (NYSE: KRA), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers or "SBCs," presented results from its scientific paper entitled, "A Review of Synthetic Lattices in Surgical Glove Use," at the 13th International Latex Conference (ILC), the only U.S. conference focusing on natural and synthetic latex, on July 26, 2011 in Akron, Ohio.

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The presentation provided attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about Kraton's extensive evaluation of twelve various, commercially-available gloves from a range of suppliers, with respect to their mechanical behavior. All of the gloves tested, including synthetic latex alternatives to natural rubber latex, met the ASTM standard for surgical gloves and offered mechanical protection comparable to natural rubber latex gloves. Those tested included natural rubber (NR) latex, chloroprene latex (CRL), Ziegler-Natta isoprene rubber latex (ZNIR), and Cariflex IR Latex, an anionic isoprene rubber (AnIR).

Kraton evaluated the mechanical properties of the gloves in the following areas: tensile strength, modulus, and puncture resistance. Based on the observations, Kraton concluded that surgical gloves made with Cariflex Isoprene Rubber Latex offered mechanical protection comparable to natural rubber latex gloves. Further, surgical gloves made with Cariflex Isoprene Rubber Latex proved to be better than other synthetics in terms of comfort, and equal or even superior, to natural rubber latex gloves.

To read the paper in its entirety, please click here. For more information about Cariflex Polyisoprene products, please click here, or call 1-800-4-KRATON for further assistance.

About Kraton Polymers

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., through its operating subsidiary Kraton Polymers LLC and its subsidiaries, is a leading global producer of engineered polymers and, we believe, the world's largest producer of styrenic block copolymers ("SBCs"), a family of products whose chemistry was pioneered by us almost fifty years ago. SBCs are highly-engineered thermoplastic elastomers, which enhance the performance of numerous products by delivering a variety of attributes, including greater flexibility, resilience, strength, durability and processability. Our polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants and lubricants, and medical, packaging, automotive, paving, roofing and footwear products. We currently offer approximately 800 products to more than 700 customers in over 60 countries worldwide, and are the only SBC producer with manufacturing and service capabilities on four continents. We manufacture products at five plants globally, including our flagship plant in Belpre, Ohio, as well as plants in Germany, France and Brazil, and a joint venture plant operated in Japan.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements," which are statements other than statements of historical fact and are often characterized by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "may," "will," "intends," "plans" or "anticipates," or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in "Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as subsequently updated in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We hereby make reference to all such filings for all purposes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update such information.

Kraton, the Kraton logo and design, Cariflex, Nexar and the "Giving Innovators their Edge" tagline are all trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.

© Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. 2011.  All rights reserved.

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For Further Information:
Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.
Media: Marcie Coronado +1-281-504-4975
Investors: H. Gene Shiels +1-281-504-4886

SOURCE Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.