Cariflex™ Polyisoprene Products by Kraton Performance Polymers Added to PolyOne Distribution Product Line

HOUSTON, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (NYSE: "KRA"), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers or SBCs, and PolyOne Distribution, a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, announce the execution of a distribution agreement to add Cariflex polyisoprene products to the PolyOne product line.

"Kraton Polymers chose PolyOne Distribution as our distributor for Cariflex IR products due to their deep knowledge about polymers, formulations, and polymer processing, Their reputation for commercial and operational excellence, as well as global reach, are fundamental to providing our customers with outstanding customer service, which is our top priority," said Richard Brennan, Vice President, Cariflex Polyisoprene Products.

Cariflex polyisoprene rubber is a USP Class VI-certified material offering properties and processing capabilities similar to natural rubber, but with added features, including high purity, excellent clarity, no fragmentation and low gel count. As a result, the material does not contain impurities found in competing materials that can cause discoloration, odor and allergic reactions.

"Cariflex IR products are an excellent complement to our health care portfolio and will expand PolyOne's ability to provide customer value by streamlining logistics and simplifying inventory management for medical device manufacturers," said Kurt Schuering, president, PolyOne Distribution.

Cariflex IR is an ideal alternative to natural rubber for health care applications requiring high quality, resealability, puncture resistance, and tear resistance. It reduces patient and practitioner allergy risks often associated with natural rubber latex products, which is an immediate goal for the medical industry. Cariflex polyisoprene rubber helps meet this goal while maintaining performance and improving purity. Applications for this material include medical stoppers, surgical gloves, catheters and medical tubing, needle shields, and medical bags.

Cariflex polyisoprene rubber is currently available through PolyOne Distribution in the U.S. and Canada. The material has been approved by pharmacopeia agencies in the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada and China.

About Kraton Polymers

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., through its operating subsidiary Kraton Polymers LLC and its subsidiaries, is a leading global producer of engineered polymers and styrenic block copolymers ("SBCs"), a family of products whose chemistry was pioneered by us almost fifty years ago. SBCs are highly-engineered thermoplastic elastomers, which enhance the performance of numerous products by delivering a variety of attributes, including greater flexibility, resilience, strength, durability and processability. Our polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants and lubricants, and medical, packaging, automotive, paving, roofing and footwear products. We offer our products to a diverse group of more than 800 customers in over 60 countries worldwide. The company manufactures products at five plants globally, including the flagship plant in Belpre, Ohio, as well as plants in Germany, France and Brazil, and a joint venture plant operated in Japan.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements," which are statements other than statements of historical fact and are often characterized by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "may," "will," "intends," "plans" or "anticipates," or by discussions of strategy, anticipated performance, plans or intentions. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in "Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as subsequently updated in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We hereby make reference to all such filings for all purposes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update such information.

Kraton, the Kraton logo and design, Cariflex, Nexar and the "Giving Innovators their Edge" tagline are all trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.

© Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. 2012.  All rights reserved.

For Further Information:
Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.
Media: Marcie Coronado +1-281-504-4975
Investors: H. Gene Shiels +1-281-504-4886

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SOURCE Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.