Ansell Limited Acquires a Minority Share in Yulex Corporation

MELBOURNE, Australia, November 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Ansell Limited (ANN.AX), a global leader in protection solutions, today announced it has purchased a minority share of Yulex Corporation, a manufacturer of biopolymers derived from guayule. The investment is not expected to have any material impact on Ansell's earnings per share in Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013.

Further, Ansell and Yulex executed an exclusive agreement for the global development, manufacturing and distribution rights for medical gloves, personal protective equipment gloves, and condoms made of guayule latex.

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is a commercial crop (a small evergreen shrub) and the only rubber-producing species other than the Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) that has been used for latex production on a commercial scale. Extensive scientific research suggests that guayule latex does not produce allergic reactions with natural rubber latex sensitive individuals.  

Magnus Nicolin, CEO of Ansell Limited commented "Our agreements with Yulex are an important step in our strategy to accelerate the development of new innovative products while reducing our usage of rubber tree latex."  

"We are pleased to be partnering with Ansell," said Yulex Corporation CEO, Jeff Martin. "Our collaboration will advance the acceptance of guayule natural rubber as a U.S. biobased alternative for natural rubber and petroleum-based rubber products.   We are committed to developing 'green' renewable technologies for consumer and healthcare markets"

About Ansell

Ansell is a world leader in providing superior health and safety protection solutions that enhance human well being. With operations in the North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia, Ansell employs more than 10,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the industrial and medical gloves market, as well as in the sexual health and well being category worldwide. Ansell operates in four main business segments: Medical Solutions, Industrial Solutions, New Verticals, and Sexual Wellness. Information on Ansell and its products can be found at http://www.ansell.com.

About Yulex Corporation

Yulex has developed a portfolio of biobased elastomer products derived from the U.S. grown guayule plant. The technological innovation is designed to replace traditional tropical or petroleum based rubber for consumer, industrial and medical markets, with the residual agricultural materials utilized as a feedstock for bioenergy. Yulex collaborates with customers to develop and market highly differentiated premium performance products in an ecologically responsible, sustainable manner. Yulex Corporation is primarily owned by Argonaut Private Equity. More information can be found at http://www.yulex.com

SOURCE Ansell Healthcare