A. Schulman Highlights Specialty Masterbatches And Their Superior Product Properties At The Third GPCA Plastics Summit

AKRON, Ohio, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives of A. Schulman, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: SHLM), a leading global supplier of engineered plastics, masterbatches, specialty powders and distribution services, spoke at this week's Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Plastics Summit to showcase how masterbatches can be used to create value in a variety of packaging and agricultural applications.

Heinz-Willi Houben, Business Unit Director Masterbatch EMEA, and Tony Daponte, R&D Director Masterbatch EMEA, spoke at the Third GPCA Plastics Summit, held April 3-5 at Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They focused on the value-adding properties of masterbatches for applications such as stretch hoods for packaging, anti-static and anti-fog films, and agricultural films.

"The advantages of using masterbatch materials in stretch hoods include less use of film per pallet, lower energy requirements and higher speed of processing compared with shrink film. Stretch hoods also never stick to the contents of the package," Houben said. "When compared with stretch wrap, stretch hoods are preferable because they are watertight and offer barcode visibility, excellent recycling price, higher speed, weather stability, and no pallet-to-pallet sticking."

A wide range of anti-static masterbatches can be used in plastic bottles, transparent films, electronics packaging, bubble wrap and shrink films. "Products such as POLYSTAT ^® permanent anti-static masterbatches give the polymer an intrinsic anti-static characteristic that eliminates problems such as dust attraction, stickiness during handling and electrostatic discharges due to static electricity," Houben said.

POLYBATCH ^® anti-fogging masterbatches can protect foods and other packaged contents from the undesirable effects of moisture. "These masterbatches eliminate condensed water droplets that can reduce product quality both physically and aesthetically. Moisture also can limit the purchaser's ability to see the contents in the package," Daponte said.

"Our partnership with GPCA continues to provide a strategic platform for sharing knowledge and networking as we further develop our footprint for all our businesses in the Middle East," said Pojhan Vahabi, A. Schulman's Business Director, Middle East.

GPCA is a trade association focused on providing resources, aid and technical assistance for the petrochemicals and chemicals industries in the Gulf region of the Middle East.  The Third GPCA Plastics Summit focused on current economic challenges, market potentials and high-tech opportunities for plastic converters in the Middle East.

About A. Schulman, Inc.

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, A. Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins.  The Company's customers span a wide range of markets such as packaging, consumer products, industrial and automotive, among others.  The Company employs about 3,100 people and has 36 manufacturing facilities globally.  A. Schulman reported net sales of $2.2 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.  Additional information about A. Schulman can be found at www.aschulman.com.

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