AG 2011 04 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CELGARD CELGARD ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL EXPANSION OF LITHIUM -ION BATTERY SEPARATOR CAPACITY FOR ELECTRIC DRIVE VEHICLES Charlotte, N.C., March 14, 2011 — Celgard, LLC, a wholly -owned subsidiary of Polypore International, Inc. and a leading global supplier of microporous separators used in lithium -ion batteries, today announced an approximately $65 million expansion of its lithium -ion battery separator capacity for Electric Drive Vehicles (EDVs). This capacity, which is scheduled to begin ramping up in late 2012, is being added to the Company's facility currently under construction in Concord, North Carolina. This represents the fourth EDV- targeted expansion since August 2009. When this expansion reaches full production levels in 2013, the Company will have increased lithium -ion battery separator capacity by more than 200% compared to the run rate experienced during the second half of 2010. Robert B. Toth, Polypore President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are very encouraged by the early success of the initial lithium -based EDVs launched into the marketplace, as well as the rapidly increasing number of programs in which we are actively participating. We are actively involved in development programs for over 50 vehicles scheduled for launch between now and 2015. We are working closely with our customers to evaluate the rate of acceleration in EDV demand and the corresponding impact on our capacity needs, and we will continue to make the necessary investments to ensure sustainable growth over the long term." Celgard employs approximately 440 people in the Charlotte area and about 600 people worldwide and is one of the largest participants in the U.S. lithium battery supply chain. Celgard® separators are primarily used in lithium -ion batteries for personal electronics devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, power tools, and new applications such as electricity grid management systems and EDVs. These separators play a critical role in the performance and life of lithium -ion batteries by providing a barrier between the positive and negative electrodes — preventing short circuits while controlling the exchange of lithium ions from one side of the battery to the other. For more information about Celgard, LLC visit www.celaard.com. Celgard Contact: Holli Hughes Marketing Communications Manager Celgard, LLC —A Polypore Company Office: (704) 587 -8642 Email: HolliHughes(a,celgard.com For more information about Polypore International, Inc. visit www.polvpore.net. Investor Contact: Polypore Investor Relations Office: (704) 587 -8886 Email: investorrelations(a .net A POLYPORE Company Attachment number 1 1 -1 Page 302