Westlake Founder, T. T. Chao, to Be Posthumously Inducted Into the Plastics Hall of Fame

HOUSTON, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) announced today that its Founder and former Chairman, Ting Tsung "T. T." Chao (1921-2008) has been selected for posthumous induction into the Plastics Hall of Fame by the Plastics Academy. The induction ceremony will take place in Boston on May 1, 2011 during ANTEC 2011, the Society of Plastics Engineer's annual technical forum.

Induction into the Plastics Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed in the plastics industry and is reserved for leading innovators and industry pioneers.  In citing their selection, the Academy noted that Mr. Chao was "a global visionary and pioneer in the plastics and petrochemical industry, he was known as a generous philanthropist and successful entrepreneur. "

Along with his sons, James and Albert, the company's current Chairman and President & CEO respectively, Mr. Chao formed what is now Westlake Chemical Corporation in 1986 after an extensive career in Asia where he built many first of its kind petrochemicals and plastics plants and businesses.  In learning of this recognition, Mr. James Chao and Mr. Albert Chao stated, "We are grateful to the Plastics Academy for their recognition of our Founder and father for his lasting legacy to our industry and Westlake Chemical Corporation."

Westlake Chemical Corporation (WLK)

Westlake Chemical Corporation is an international manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated products with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company's range of products includes: ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, caustic, VCM, PVC and PVC building products including pipe, windows and fence. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.westlake.com.

The statements in this release relating to the new construction, as well as any other matters that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially.  For more detailed information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, please refer to Westlake's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which was filed in February 2011.

SOURCE Westlake Chemical Corporation