Keyuan Petrochemicals Inc. Signs R&D Agreement with Ningbo Institute of Technology

NINGBO, China, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KEYP) ("Keyuan or the "Company"), a leading merchant manufacturer of various petrochemical products in China, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Ningbo Institute of Technology, an affiliate of Zhejiang University, to jointly develop commercial applications for Butadiene Styrene Resin. This is one component of Keyuan's long-term strategy to invest in technology advancement.

Keyuan will work with researchers from the Ningbo Institute of Technology to research and develop synthesis technology for Butadiene Styrene Resin over the next 2 years. Butadiene Styrene Resin is a block co-polymer with excellent transparency and anti-impact properties, including flexibility and durability. It is currently used in packaging and plastic products such as medical instruments and toys. This partnership will focus on developing commercial applications for Butadiene Styrene Resin in synthetic rubber products. Keyuan and Ningbo Institute of Technology will share the rights to products and technologies developed from this cooperation.

"We are excited to partner with Ningbo Institute of Technology," said Chunfeng Tao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Keyuan. "Their expertise in research of materials chemical engineering and our track record of commercial development are a perfect match. With dozens of products using Butadiene Styrene Resin today, we see an opportunity to expand our technology and product portfolios."

About Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc.

Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc., established in 2007 and operating through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Keyuan Plastics, Co. Ltd., is located in Ningbo, China and is a leading independent manufacturer and supplier of various petrochemical products. Having commenced production in October 2009, Keyuan's operations include an annual petrochemical manufacturing design capacity of 550,000 MT for a variety of petrochemical products, with facilities for the storage and loading of raw materials and finished goods, and a technology that supports the manufacturing process with low raw material costs and high utilization and yields. In order to meet increasing market demand, Keyuan plans to expand its manufacturing capacity to include a SBS production facility, additional storage capacity, a raw material pre-treatment facility, and an asphalt production facility.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. For example, statements about the future use of the proceeds are forward looking and subject to risks. Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc. may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks outlined in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statement on Form S-1, as amended. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

SOURCE Keyuan Petrochemicals Inc.