February 1, 2007 – Basell’s Hostacom TKC782N thermoplastic elastomeric olefin (TEO) is being used to produce new energy management pillars for General Motors’ GM 900 platform vehicles.

“Hostacom TKC782N TEO was selected for the A, B, C and D energy management pillars of GM’s Chevrolet Tahoe, Yukon and Suburban trucks due to its ability to meet stringent requirements and deliver the necessary strength, flexibility and aesthetics under extreme conditions,” said Jane Horal, Basell Automotive Interior Segment Manager.

The pillars, molded by NYX located in Livonia, Michigan, perform an energy management function in the event the roof rails are deployed, and meet head injury criteria (HIC) requirements outlined in the FMVSS201U government safety standard.

“Hostacom TKC782N provides robustness over other competitive resins, which has enabled the program team to deliver system features and fit and finish requirements,” said Horal. “The material’s processing, colorability and physical property profile has contributed to the product selection,” she added.

During pre-release testing conducted at Autoliv, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, numerous materials were evaluated. Hostacom TKC782N, which is a mineral-filled, high impact TEO with a high melt flow (1,100 MPa flexural modulus), demonstrated an excellent balance of stiffness, impact resistance and processability.

“If a roof rail airbag is present, the pillars must meet not only HIC standards, but also all deployment requirements, along with aesthetics and fit and finish requirements,” said Harvinder Singh, Corporate Purchasing Manager of NYX. “The Hostacom material performed very well during testing and also brought some additional aesthetic advantages for this type of application due to its excellent colorability with multi-fleck colorants.”

The pillars are being supplied for on-vehicle installation with molded-in-color and a low gloss finish. The pillars also feature a multi-fleck surface that provides a fabric-covered appearance.

Basell is the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing. It is the largest producer of polypropylene and advanced polyolefin products, a leading supplier of polyethylene and catalysts, and a global leader in the development and licensing of polypropylene and polyethylene processes. Basell, together with its joint ventures, has manufacturing facilities around the world and sells products in more than 120 countries. Additional information about Basell is available at www.basell.com.

For more information contact John Caccese at +1 570 470 1555.