ANNOUNCEMENT, [Posted 09/04/2007 05:00:00 PM EST]

Momentive Performance Materials Enhances CIGS Solar Cell Manufacturing with New Line of Pyrolytic Boron Nitride and Pyrolytic Graphite Crucibles, Heaters and Coatings

New Products offer potential for cost of ownership, and chemical and thermal stability advantages over alternative ceramic materials

STRONGSVILLE, OH – November 9, 2007 – Momentive Performance Materials Inc. recently launched a new product line of Pyrolytic Boron Nitride (PBN) crucibles, heaters and coatings to consider for the enhancement of the production of CIGS (copper, indium, gallium, selinide) solar cells.

Compared to other ceramic materials, PBN potentially provides a higher level of chemical and thermal stability and a lower total cost of ownership. Due to the relatively low wetting of PBN by most molten metals, PBN typically withstands the high temperature and high-volume throughput demands of CIGS solar cell manufacturing with minimal deterioration.

“We’re confident that our new Pyrolytic Boron Nitride products will deliver exceptional performance and longevity for CIGS solar cell manufacturers,” said John Mariner, heater systems product manager, Momentive Quartz and Ceramics. “With these new products, we’ve built upon the capabilities of materials long used in the demanding semiconductor manufacturing environment.”

Pyrolytic Boron Nitride (PBN) is an anistropic, high-temperature ceramic that exhibits a unique combination of high electrical resistance and good thermal conductivity. This non-toxic, non-porous compound is exceptionally pure by virtue of the synthesis process (high temperature/low press chemical vapor deposition). It can be deposited or easily machined into a wide variety of shapes, including crucibles, boats, tubes, bottles and machined plate products.  As coatings on graphite, it may help protect heaters and evaporation sources from the corrosive effect of molten metals. PBN’s directional thermal conductivity provides excellent “heat spreading” capability for improved temperature uniformity. The combination of high strength, good thermal conductivity and a low coefficient of thermal expansion make the materials extremely resistant to thermal shock.

To find out more about Momentive Pyrolytic Boron Nitride and Pyrolytic Graphite crucibles, heaters and coatings, please call 800.822.4322 in North America (+440.878.5700 everywhere else) or visit www.momentive.com.

About Momentive Performance Materials
Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is a premier specialty materials company, providing high-technology materials solutions to the silicones, quartz and ceramics markets. The company, as a global leader with worldwide operations, has a robust product portfolio, an enduring tradition of service excellence, and industry-leading research and development capabilities. Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is owned by an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P. Additional information is available at www.momentive.com.

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