Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. Appoints John J. Gallagher, III and Francis S. Kalman to Its Board of Directors

HOUSTON, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (NYSE: KRA), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers, today announced the appointment of John J. Gallagher, III and Francis S. Kalman to its Board of Directors, effective July 5, 2011.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome John Gallagher and Frank Kalman to the Kraton Board," said Dan F. Smith, Chairman of Kraton's Board of Directors.  "John Gallagher brings to our Board a wealth of global chemicals and financial expertise," said Smith. "Frank Kalman brings to the Board significant experience in global operations as well as an extensive financial background.  We look forward to their insight, leadership and the benefit of their wise counsel in the coming years."

Mr. Gallagher is Chief Executive Officer of Stellar CJS Holdings, LLC, a privately held investment company formed in 2009. Mr. Gallagher served in various senior executive capacities with Celanese Corporation from 2005 until 2009, including Executive Vice President and President, Acetyls and Celanese Asia, from 2007 to 2009, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Celanese Corporation, from 2005 to 2007.  Prior to his service with Celanese, Mr. Gallagher served in several executive positions with Great Lakes Chemical Corp., including acting Chief Executive Officer, CFO and Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain.  Prior to that time, Mr. Gallagher was Vice President and CFO of UOP, LLC, a leading international supplier and licensor for the petroleum refining, gas processing, petrochemical production and major manufacturing industries, from 1999 to 2001; served in varying capacities at AlliedSignal, Inc., including CFO, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Division, from 1995 to 1999; and worked for the public accounting firm Price Waterhouse, LLP, from 1986 to 1995.  Mr. Gallagher has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Delaware and is a certified public accountant.

Mr. Kalman served as Executive Vice President of McDermott International, Inc. from February 2002 until his retirement in February 2008, and as Chief Financial Officer from February 2002 until April 2007. From March 2000 to February 2002, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Vector ESP, Inc. From April 1999 to March 2000, he was a principal of Pinnacle Equity Partners, LLC. From February 1998 to April 1999, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Chemical Logistics Corporation. From May 1996 to September 1997, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Keystone International, Inc. Mr. Kalman currently serves as a senior advisor to a private investment subsidiary of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., LLC, which specializes in direct investments in upstream, oilfield service and midstream companies. Mr. Kalman is a principal of Ancora Partners, LLC, a private equity group.  Mr. Kalman is a director of Ensco plc.  He has a B.S. degree in Accounting from Long Island University.

ABOUT KRATON

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., through its operating subsidiary Kraton Polymers LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Kraton"), is a leading global producer of engineered polymers and one of the world's largest producers of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), a family of products whose chemistry was pioneered by Kraton almost 50 years ago. Kraton's 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. The company, offers approximately 800 products to more than 700 customers in over 60 countries worldwide, and is the only SBC producer with manufacturing and service capabilities on four continents. We manufacture products at five plants globally, including our flagship plant in Belpre, Ohio, the most diversified SBC plant in the world, as well as plants in Germany, France, Brazil and Japan. The plant in Japan is operated by an unconsolidated manufacturing joint venture. For more information on the company, please visit www.kraton.com.

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

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100728/DA42514LOGO)

For Further Information:
H. Gene Shiels 281-504-4886

SOURCE Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.