Press Release

Kraton Polymers and GLS Corporation Help Accessorize the Consumer Electronic Enthusiast

HOUSTON (May 27, 2004) – Kraton Polymers and GLS are making sure the SkinTight™ line of smart computer accessories fits like a glove.

Speck Products needed a material for its line of protective cases for mobile electronic devices that could be designed with thin walls for play-through capabilities, as well as functionality, protection and good aesthetics. Speck also needed a material that was easy to manufacture.

“We identified a niche in the industry for accessorizing the consumer electronic enthusiast,” said Raj Sundra, lead product designer for the SkinTight line. “The material for the skin was our missing link. We first considered silicone, but rejected it because of challenges with manufacturing it in China and because it didn’t provide the feel we wanted.”

Speck turned to GLS Corporation, a leading compounder of soft thermoplastic elastomers for the consumer products industry, and chose a VERSAFLEX® TPE alloy compound made with Kraton® G polymers for its skin that can be used with the iPod and mini iPod mobile digital devices.

“Because GLS offers a wide range of products, we were able to find a compound with the right balance of design and processing benefits to meet our needs,” added Sundra. “Plus, we avoided having to customize a compound, which saved us money and time and made manufacturing the skins in China much easier.”

Kraton® G polymer is a styrenic block copolymer that gives this VERSAFLEX CL alloy and the SkinTight products a soft touch and more tactile grip. Its excellent elasticity enables good elongation and recovery when the skin is stretched over the device. And because of its durability, it retains flexibility for the life of the product. VERSAFLEX CL is transparent and colorable, offering consumers a variety of colors to choose from. It is also easy to clean with soap and water to retain its good looks despite excessive handling.

“The strength and elasticity of the compound make our protective cases tear resistant, with shock absorption and scratch protection – qualities that are especially important for electronic devices,” added Sundra. “The properties of the compound even allowed us to incorporate a living hinge into the design of our PDA skins, so consumers could dock the device without removing the skin.”
To manufacture the skins, the VERSAFLEX CL compound was injection molded into a two cavity tool. The flow properties of the compound allowed for a thin wall that averaged .07 inches thick to provide protection without adding bulk or obstructing the functionality of the device. The good flow properties allowed processors to avoid visible knit lines around cutouts called for in the design of the product.

“VERSAFLEX CL alloys were formulated to be extremely easy to process,” said Walt Ripple, director of sales and marketing for GLS Corporation. “They have a wide processing window and can be processed with low injection pressures and at low temperatures. The excellent flow characteristics allowed for easy filling of a long, thin flow path and an excellent surface appearance for the SkinTight products. And ultimately, Speck reduced cycle times, which meant manufacturing more parts with fewer tools in less time.”

Speck Products, makers of smart computer accessories, is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, with additional design offices in Orange, CA. Speck designs, manufactures and sells products that can be used for PDAs, MP3 Players and Apple computers.

GLS Corporation has supplied thermoplastic elastomer compounds to the industry since 1979. The company has produced application-specific, custom TPE compounds since 1984. Applications for GLS materials are found in medical, sports and leisure, automotive, lawn and garden, appliance, kitchen tool, power tool, personal care and industrial markets, among others. For more information, visit GLS Corporation’s web site at www.glscorporation.com, e-mail info@glscorp.com, or in the United States call toll-free 1-800-457-TPRS.

The Kraton Polymers Group of Companies pioneered the production of styrenic block copolymers in the 1960s and today retains its position as the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of the technology. Manufacturers and formulators around the world use Kraton polymers in their compounds and applications to add value to their products through improved finish and advanced manufacturing processes. For more information, visit the Kraton Polymers web site at www.Kraton.com/, e-mail info@Kraton.com, or in the United States call toll-free 1-800-4Kraton.

About Kraton

Kraton Polymers LLC is a premier, global specialty chemicals company and is the world’s largest producer of styrenic block copolymers (“SBCs”), a family of products whose chemistry was pioneered by Kraton over forty years ago.  SBCs are highly-engineered synthetic elastomers, which enhance the performance of products by delivering a variety of attributes, including greater flexibility, resilience, strength, durability and processability.  Kraton polymers are used in a wide range of applications including road and roofing materials, numerous consumer products (e.g., diapers, tool handles and toothbrushes), tapes, labels, medical applications, packaging, automotive and footwear products.  Kraton has the leading position in nearly all of its core markets and is the only producer of SBCs with global manufacturing capability.  Its production facilities are located in the United States, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Brazil, and Japan.

Polymer Holdings LLC is the parent company of Kraton Polymers LLC and has no material assets other than its investment in Kraton Polymers LLC. 

Kraton, the Kraton logo and design are trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.

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