OMN OMNOVA Solutions Inc

OMNOVA Solutions' PolyFox Fluorosurfactants Receive Full Regulatory Approval Environmentally-Preferred Materials Granted Unlimited Use Status FAIRLAWN, Ohio, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- OMNOVA Solutions Inc., an innovator in emulsion polymersand specialty chemicals, is pleased to announce that two premier first generation products in its PolyFox(TM) line of fluorosurfactants have been granted full regulatory approval by The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Following rigorous testing by OMNOVA, the U.S. EPA approved Pre-Manufacture Notices (PMN) on PolyFox(TM) and PolyFox VM fluorosurfactants, resulting in Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) listing. This means that OMNOVA has full approval to manufacture and sell these two environmentally-preferred products in the U.S. in all areas of application. In addition, these same two PolyFox fluorosurfactants have successfully undergone all of the required environmental and health related studies in Europe and OMNOVA has obtained EU ELINCS listing after review by the United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive and The Environmental Agency. "These approvals validate OMNOVA's strategy of focusing on short chain polymeric fluorosurfactants," said Joe Twitchell, OMNOVA Solutions' Senior Market Development Manager for PolyFox. "PolyFox materials provide the market with excellent alternatives to conventional fluorosurfactants whose longer C8 fluorocarbon chains have been subjected to increased environmental scrutiny by the U.S.EPA. OMNOVA's unique PolyFox chemistry demonstrates that fluorosurfactants can continue to be safely used while meeting the difficult performance requirements of users." Environmentally-preferred PolyFox TM and PolyFox VM fluoropolymers contain CF3 and C2F5 fluorocarbons (perfluoroalkyl chains), respectively. Building on its line of PolyFox fluorosurfactants introduced to the floor care market in 2001, OMNOVA is actively engaged in commercializing this novel chemistry for a variety of applications, including high performance coatings, inks, electronic chemicals and industrial cleaners. In addition to their preferred environmental qualities, PolyFox materials provide excellent flow, leveling and wetting features, are low-foaming and have a broadened processing window. For information about specific PolyFox products, contact Joe Twitchell at 803-377-2234. OMNOVA Solutions Inc. is a technology-based company with 2003 sales of $683 million and 2,100 employees worldwide. OMNOVA is a major innovator of decorative and functional surfaces, emulsion polymers and specialty chemicals. DATASOURCE: OMNOVA Solutions Inc. CONTACT: Sandi Noah, Communications, +1-330-869-4292, or Michael Hicks, Investor Relations, +1-330-869-4411, both of OMNOVA Solutions Inc. Web site: http://www.omnova.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/143306.html

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