7th Feb 2005 07:00
3DM Worldwide PLC07 February 2005 Press Release 7 February 2005 3DM Worldwide plc ("3DM" or "the Company") Joint development agreements with Kingspan Group 3DM Worldwide plc has entered into agreements with Kingspan Group plc (LSE:KSP)under which the companies will jointly develop a number of building materialproducts using the PIM process. Some of the products being developed will be in substitution of existing outputmanufactured by Kingspan, for which the PIM process will provide both cost andenvironmental benefits. Others will be new products which Kingspan has notpreviously manufactured. For commercial reasons, neither company is able todisclose further details. The environmental benefits of the PIM process will enable the two companies toseek grant funding to recoup some of the development costs. Ken Brooks, Chairman of 3DM Worldwide plc, said: "Kingspan is a highly respectedcompany with a long tradition of manufacturing high-quality products in theconstruction and building materials industries. Our collaboration has beendriven by Kingspan's desire to find alternative materials for existing productwhich have cost and weight savings as well as environmental benefits. We areextremely pleased to be working with the Kingspan team and will continue toupdate Shareholders on the development of this project." - Ends - For further information: 3DM Worldwide PLC Ken Brooks, Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 1993 779 [email protected] www.3dmworldwide.com Media enquiries: Abchurch Henry Harrison-Topham / Ariane Comstive Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 [email protected] www.abchurch-group.com Notes to editors 3DM Worldwide plc is a leader in plastics technology intellectual property, andwas admitted to AIM in October 2002. 3DM acquired two plastics manufacturing processes in 2001: Powder ImpressionMoulding ("PIM") and 3-Dimensional Blow Moulding, the latter giving 3DM itsname. The PIM process allows the production of a strengthened plastic composite thathas the strength and other comparable properties of metal. It is a low pressuremoulding process suitable for the production of very large parts. There aremany varied applications in industry where there is a need for overall strengthand rigidity combined with weight savings. Significant capital and toolingsavings can be made, because the methodology of the process utilises anon-pressure method. There are many and varied potential PIM applications andit is ideal for those wishing to produce parts that may be large, light weightand durable. Specific applications include manufacturing of a wide range ofproducts in high volume global markets such as Building Products, Construction,Automotive, Marine, Aviation, and White Goods. 3DM's strategy with the PIM process is to offer this technology as analternative means of making large complex moulds, but also as a means ofreplacing alternative materials like metal or fibreglass. 3DM also believesthat the PIM process offers the potential for a significant rise in the use ofrecycled material to make a product which itself would be recyclable at the endof its useful life. The 3-Dimensional Blow Moulding process facilitates the manufacture of complexcomponents or component sub-assemblies of differing materials in a single mould. This reduces the number of parts in manufacturing, creating significant costsavings through diminished labour operations and attendant costs as well as areduction in the weight of cumulative parts. In addition, there is theopportunity to add non-plastic materials, and to vary the formula appropriate tocustomer requirements. Most of the exploratory work with this process has beenwith the automotive industry, where there is a constant need for more complexassemblies. This also applies to the medical industry, where similaropportunities exist, but with a wider spectrum of products. Kingspan Group plc Kingspan Group plc is a building products business focused on establishingleading market positions by providing innovative construction systems andsolutions with a global reach. For further information, please visitwww.kingspan.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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