Husky IMS, Ltd. Licenses Trexel's MuCell™ Microcellular Process Technology

Leading Supplier of Injection Molding Machines to Outfit New Equipment with Trexel's MuCell™ Microcellular Process Technology

April 14, 2000 - Woburn, MA - Trexel, Inc. and Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd. announced today that they have entered into a licensing agreement for Husky to supply injection molding equipment utilizing Trexel's proprietary MuCell™ Microcellular Process Technology. Husky is a leading global supplier of injection molding equipment and systems. Trexel is the worldwide leader in the development and commercialization of the MuCell Microcellular Process Technology.

Under the agreement, Husky is licensed to sell MuCell-capable injection molding machines which includes their entire product line from 65 to 8,800 US tons. Injection molders can purchase equipment directly from Husky while taking an end-user license for the MuCell process from Trexel. Trexel will supply technical know-how and support on the MuCell process to any licensed Husky customer.

David Bernstein, President and CEO of Trexel, states, "Trexel is very excited to have reached this agreement with Husky. By combining Trexel's MuCell Microcellular Process Technology with Husky's high-speed injection molding systems, customers will be able to drastically redefine their cost structures through higher productivity and greatly reduced manufacturing costs. This will allow them to enter new markets or to create new market positions for current products, which should lead to increased sales and profits."

Michael Gould, Husky's Vice-President Systems states, "Although we are only at the early stages of testing, we anticipate that the MuCell process will allow Husky and our customers to push product and process development further than ever before. We see our relationship with Trexel as a natural step in bringing technology to the industry which has the potential to profoundly change the cost structure associated with molding certain products today."

David Pierick, Trexel's Vice President Injection Molding states, "We believe combining the MuCell process with Husky's package machinery for thin wall containers has huge potential both in terms of light weighting and cycle-time reduction. Husky is known as a world-class operation with the best high-speed packaging machines on the market."

Equipment and Availability

The first Husky high-speed packaging machine with MuCell capabilities will be an S-Series 175 US ton MuCell adapted. This machine has been designed for a wide range of applications demanding high volume, high precision operation. To maximize the lower required clamp tonnage advantage of the MuCell process, Husky is increasing its tiebar spacing on this machine and all others up to 1,100 US tons. This will allow molds to fit into a smaller tonnage machine at less capital cost.

For the first 6 months after the machine's expected March 30, 00 completion, it will be operating at Husky's Advanced Manufacturing Center in Bolton, Ontario. Afterwards, it will be transferred to Husky's Technical Center in Boston, MA for customer mold trials.

About Trexel

Trexel is the exclusive developer of the MuCell microcellular process technology by virtue of its extensive portfolio of patents in the United States, Canada, Europe, and several Asian countries. While Trexel's primary business is licensing the MuCell technology to injection molders, extruders, blow molders, and equipment manufacturers, Trexel also provides world-class engineering support, training and other services to licensees, and supplies them with equipment and components integral to the MuCell process. In support of these activities, Trexel operates a commercial-scale research laboratory in its Woburn, MA facility.

About MuCell

The MuCell process is suitable for a wide range of injection molded, extruded, and blow molded products as it allows licensees to reduce product costs while enhancing design and processing. MuCell parts, which have a solid-like appearance, contain less material than parts produced through less-current methods, as millions of tiny air pockets take the place of materials while allowing the part to maintain most of its former properties. In addition, the process can eliminate stress, warpage, and sink marks, and greatly improve cycle time. These benefits allow designers to specify lightweight, polymer-saving foam materials for products in which conventionally foamed materials would be unacceptable.

About Husky

Husky is a global supplier of injection molding systems to the plastics industry with machines ranging in size from 65 to 8,800 US tons, PET bottle preform molds, hot runners, and robots. Husky equipment is used to manufacture a wide range of products in the packaging, automotive, and technical industries. In addition, Husky offers value-added services including system integration, plant design, and turnkey factory services.

For more information about Trexel, Inc., please contact Dan Szczurko, Trexel Vice President of Business Development, at (781) 932-0202, Ext. 241 fax (781) 932-3324, or dan@trexel.com, or visit the company Web site at www.trexel.com.

For more information about Husky, please contact please contact Willi Meyer, Project Manager, at (905) 951-5000 ext. 2617, fax: (905) 951-5387 or wmeyer@husky.ca.

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