HOUSTON, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (NYSE: KRA - News), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers or "SBCs," announces the first product of a series of new compounds for automotive interior applications that utilize slush molding technology. Kraton ST5100 provides the automotive industry with an environmentally-friendly alternative to PVC and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) in addition to superior features and benefits.

"We are engaging several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 (major part suppliers) throughout the automotive industry," said Christian Kafka, Global Market Development Manager, Kraton Performance Polymers. "They recognize that our new offering for interior surfaces fulfills properties for both the slush molding process and ongoing material qualifications while also addressing demands for environmentally-sustainable solutions that offer lighter-weight, higher-performance and low VOCs," he added.

Kraton Performance Polymers is committed to working with our customers to create new solutions for innovative products.For additional information regarding Kraton ST5100 products for soft skin technology, please contact Christian Kafka at Christian.kafka@kraton.com or call +1-800-4-KRATON (572866).

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 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 may contain "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, anticipated performance, 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. 2012. All rights reserved.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100728/DA42514LOGO)

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

Here is the original post:
Kraton Performance Polymers Launches Kraton™ ST5100 - A New Compound for Slush Molding (Soft Skin Technology)