OH! POLYMER PlastiVan™ DEBUTS IN OHIO--PROGRAM EXPANDS POLYMER INDUSTRY'S OUTREACH TO BUCKEYE STUDENTS

WESTERVILLE, OH (March 9, 2005) – PolymerOhio, a statewide network of polymer-related companies, today announced it has joined forces with the National Plastics Center to bring the PlastiVan™outreach educational program to Ohio. The program, operating as OH ! Polymer PlastiVan ™ , takes advantage of the Ohio polymer industry's well known brand name.

  The goal of the PlastiVan™ program is to make students more aware of the importance of the polymer industry to Ohio and its growth potential. The program provides scientific and education programs, which increase public knowledge of the contributions made by the plastics industry to the quality of life. PlastiVan ™ will focus on students of all ages through assembly programs, educational workshops and high school labs.

  PolymerOhio Executive Director Wayne Earley said that he and David Hahn, President of the National Plastics Center , feel strongly about bringing an interactive plastics educational program to Ohio students.

  “David and I believe that the content and value of this program will play a major role in helping young people consider and decide on a career in the plastics industry,” Earley said. “We think PlastiVan™ will really open their eyes to the opportunities available in polymers.”

The National Plastics Center , Leominster , Mass. , was founded in 1982. It has been at the forefront in educating pre-college students from K-12 about the contributions that plastics have made in our world through its National Outreach Program, the PlastiVan™ . More information can be obtained at www.plasticsmuseum.org.

  PolymerOhio, Inc., located in Westerville , is a membership organization bringing together Ohio 's 2,800 companies employing 140,000 persons. The organization is committed to enhancing the global competitiveness of the polymer industry, including companies from the plastics, rubber and advanced materials segments. More information can be found at www.polymerohio.com.

About NPC

The National Plastics Center is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the past, addressing the present, and promoting the future of plastics through public education and awareness. Established in 1982, the NPC opened its headquarters and museum at Leominster, Massachusetts in 1992. The educational staff of the NPC conducts hands-on science programming for schools and organizations, as well as demonstrations for visitors to the museum.

For more information please contact the National Plastics Center at (978) 537-9529, via website at www.plasticsmuseum.org, or via email at npcinfo@plasticsindustry.org.