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Momentive Performance Materials Presents Technical Paper on New Surfactant Technology for Voids Reduction in Rigid Polyurethane Foams

ALBANY, N.Y., September 27, 2011 —Momentive Performance Materials Inc., a leading global provider of silicones and advanced materials, today announced the release of a technical paper regarding a new generation of surfactants for hydrocarbon blown appliance foam formulations, as part of its global initiative to help eliminate voids in polyurethane foam. The paper was presented yesterday at the Polyurethanes 2011 Technical Conference in Nashville, TN. Niax* silicone L-6891, introduced yesterday at the conference, is featured in the research.

The report describes the proprietary testing methodologies developed by Momentive to study foam voids generated in a discontinuous molding process. Using these methodologies, Momentive has examined the technical challenges of optimizing the silicone surfactant structure to eliminate voids while preserving other important foam and formulation properties, including maintaining the lowest thermal conductivity.

“At Momentive, we have invested significantly in R&D to focus on eliminating the foam voids that are an ongoing industry concern across rigid foam segments,” said Tony Lanchak, Global Business Director - Urethane Additives, Momentive Performance Materials. “This global effort has been expanded to hydrocarbon blown appliance foams, which are used extensively in household refrigerators. We believe that these defects in the foam surface, which could lead to aesthetic and thermal conductivity issues in the end product, are more likely to occur in formulations that use hydrocarbons as the blowing agent.”

The technical paper, A New Generation of Surfactants for Hydrocarbon Blown Domestic Appliance Formulations Providing Optimized Rigid Foam Surface Quality While Minimizing Thermal Conductivity, is available for download at www.momentive.com.

About Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is a global leader in silicones and advanced materials, with a 70+ year heritage of being first to market with performance applications for major industries that support and improve everyday life. The company delivers science-based solutions, by linking custom technology platforms to opportunities for customers. Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Hexion Holdings LLC. Additional information is available at www.momentive.com.

About the New Momentive
Hexion Holdings LLC is the ultimate parent company of Momentive Performance Materials Inc. and Hexion Inc. (collectively, the “new Momentive”). The new Momentive is a global leader in specialty chemicals and materials, with a broad range of advanced specialty products that help industrial and consumer companies support and improve everyday life. The company uses its technology portfolio to deliver tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers around the world. The new Momentive was formed in 2010 through the combination of entities that indirectly owned Momentive Performance Materials Inc. and Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc. The company is controlled by investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC.

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*Niax is a trademark of Momentive Performance Materials Inc. 

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