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DuPont Engineering Polymers today announced that it has selected Singapore for expected investment  in two of its highest-growth businesses - DuPont™ Zytel® HTN high-performance polyamide and DuPont™ Vespel® parts and shapes.  "This move illustrates our vision in Engineering Polymers to 'glocal-ize'," said Keith Smith, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Engineering Polymers.  "In a global economy, it is imperative that we support our customers by working seamlessly around the world to meet their regional needs for on-time delivery of the same, high-quality product."

The planned Vespel® facility is expected to be operational in 2007, and the Zytel® HTN facility is expected in 2009, depending on market growth rates, with an expected annual capacity of 15,000 metric tons.  DuPont already operates Vespel® production facilities in Ohio, Delaware, Belgium and Japan, and HTN facilities in Tennessee and its newest facility in Richmond, Va., which came on line in second quarter 2005 and is producing excellent, high-quality product.

"We see ever-growing demand for these high-performance products in Asia Pacific," said Minoru Amoh, regional director, Engineering Polymers, Asia Pacific.  "The facilities we expect to build in Singapore will optimize our supply capabilities so we can respond to this growth market even more quickly and cost-effectively.  This, plus our investment in the DuPont Research and Development Center in Shanghai and the DuPont Automotive Center in Nagoya, Japan, truly illustrates our continuous commitment to the Asia Pacific marketplace and to going where our customers are growing."

DuPont™ Zytel® HTN includes two high-performance product families - most fall within the narrower Zytel® HTN PPA family and offer best-in-class resistance to heat, chemicals and moisture plus ease of processing; and Zytel® HTN superstructural products, which provide high stiffness and strength with an excellent surface and easy processing.  "Demand for high-performance polyamides especially in automotive underhood and electrical and the electronics markets is growing rapidly worldwide," said Clive Robertson, global business manager - DuPont™ Zytel® HTN.  "We continually work with customers on new applications and develop new product grades that optimize product performance and processibility to better meet customer and market needs worldwide, and plan to ensure that capacity is in place ahead of demand."

DuPont offers five families of Vespel® parts and shapes that meet stringent requirements for weight reduction, long service life, chemical exposure and/or extreme temperatures.  These parts and shapes, many of which are manufactured from high-performance polyimide resins, range from seal rings and couplings to engine clamps and replace metal and ceramics for better cost position and durability.  Primary markets are global aerospace, semiconductor, industrial and transportation industries, as well as in office machine and pump applications.

"Industry demand for metals-replacement technologies that reduce weight and cost is driving a step-change for our business and a Singapore facility would help us meet growth demands both globally and locally," said Bill Weber, global business director - DuPont™ Vespel® parts and shapes.

DuPont is a science company.  Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.