HOUSTON, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (NYSE: "KRA"), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers or "SBCs," announces plans to present the results of its medical stopper study at the 2012 International Rubber Expo, 182nd Technical Meeting & Educational Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The paper, "Improved Medical Stopper Solutions with High Performance, Anionic Isoprene Rubber," compares the chemistry and performance of four rubber families that are currently used in medical stoppers: anionic polyisoprene (IR); Ziegler-Natta IR; chlorobutyl rubber; and bromobutyl rubber. The study was performed by a third party using regular medical stopper test protocols. It showed that medical stoppers made with Cariflex polyisoprene products, an anionic IR made by Kraton Performance Polymers, could easily pass the extraction test under Japanese Pharmacopeia (JP) 7-03 (XV revision 2006), which is the most stringent protocol, while Ziegler-Natta IR failed or only marginally passed.

"The results of the study will demonstrate that anionic isoprene rubber delivers a unique combination of advantages including the absence of natural rubber proteins present in NR, an odor-free formulation with very low residual metals and no residual catalysts, low needle insertion force, and minimal risk of rubber fragmentation (coring) and medication contamination due to needle insertion," said Dr. Philippe Henderson of Kraton Polymers. The anionic polymerization process is unique to Kraton Polymers for the manufacture of high molecular weight polyisoprene.

Dr. Henderson's presentation is scheduled at 4:15 p.m., on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the International Rubber Expo, 182nd Technical Meeting & Educational Symposium, Cincinnati, OH, in room 203-204 at the Duke Energy Center. To register for the event, please visit the Expo website. Personal interviews to discuss the study or Cariflex polyisoprene products may be scheduled by contacting Marcie Coronado at 281-504-4975, or Marcie.coronado@kraton.com.

Cariflex polyisoprene products are the ideal alternative to natural rubber for applications that demand extreme purity, exceptional protection and consistently high quality. Cariflex products offer a pure and versatile option for manufacturing applications that require the high tensile strength and tear resistance of natural rubber without the impurities that cause discoloration, odor and allergic reactions. For additional information about Cariflex products, please visit the Kraton website.

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.

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Kraton Performance Polymers Reveals Medical Stopper Study Results