FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2003

The FIPA system from Viscotek, leaders in multi-detector characterisation of polymers and proteins, is a fast and simple instrument for providing comprehensive characterisation data for process engineers involved with polymer development.

Polymer process development made easy ...

The FIPA system from Viscotek, leaders in multi-detector characterisation of polymers and proteins, is a fast and simple instrument for providing comprehensive characterisation data for process engineers involved with polymer development.

The proprietary Flow Injection Polymer Analysis (FIPA) technique used by the system is based upon a fast chromatographic means of separating polymers from the low molecular weight matrix of additives, monomers, or solvent they may be mixed with. The separated polymer is then detected by one or more detectors, and the resulting peaks analysed to obtain properties of the polymer. The FIPA system yields precise and accurate average molecular weight, molecular size, intrinsic viscosity and data on branching or copolymer composition in only 3-5 minutes without the need for elaborate sample preparation.

Unlike fast GPC techniques, the FIPA system requires no column calibration and the molecular weights determined are accurate for any polymer type or structure. This means it is also free of effects caused by flow-rate fluctuations or column/sample interactions.

With typical analysis times of only a few minutes, FIPA delivers major gains in productivity over traditional methods where samples have to be sent away for time consuming and costly laboratory sample preparation and analysis. Built for ease of use, low maintenance and minimal down-time, FIPA is simple to use as the interactive software leads the operator through setting up a method, which will then process the data automatically as the samples are run.

Robust and easy to configure, the Viscotek FIPA system operates up to 80C allowing screening of most polymers including polycarbonates, polyacrylates, olefins, rubbers, polyimides, polystyrene, and polyvinylalcohol. The technique is equally applicable to natural polymers including polysaccharides and proteins.

CONTACTS:

Europe Viscotek Europe Ltd. Chapel House Kingsclere Road Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 6UG UK Tel: + 44 1256 473000 Email: r.campbell@viscotek-europe.com Web: www.viscotek.com