GE Advanced Materials On the Road Again, Extends Sponsorship of Matt Kenseth for 2004 NASCAR Season

PITTSFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2004--GE Advanced Materials (NYSE:GE) announced today that it has renewed as an associate sponsor of 2003 Winston Cup Champion, Matt Kenseth, and the #17 DEWALT Ford Taurus for the 2004 NASCAR racing season. The extension marks the second year that GE Advanced Materials has teamed up with DEWALT and Roush Racing to promote its LEXAN(R) brand of polycarbonate plastic, which is used as an ingredient component in many consumer products. The #17 DEWALT Ford Taurus will once again feature the green LEXAN resin logo across the back.

The relationship with DEWALT - commenced to mark the 50th anniversary of LEXAN resin - has been significant because for the last 15 years, LEXAN polycarbonate technology has contributed to what is the biggest spectator sport in America. Most NASCAR stock cars feature front windshields make with LEXAN resin, while most NASCAR drivers wear helmets with shells made with LEXAN resin. A premier product of GE Advanced Materials, LEXAN resin is one of the world's foremost engineering thermoplastics.

“We look forward to another championship season with Roush Racing and DEWALT.”

"The NASCAR sponsorship has allowed us to show the association between high-performance applications like NASCAR windshields and the products people use everyday that are also made of LEXAN resin," said John Dineen, vice president and general manager of the global LEXAN business and global product companies for GE Advanced Materials.

"The sponsorship of the #17 DEWALT Ford Taurus during the 2003 championship season exceeded our expectations from both a branding perspective and as a way to connect with both customers and our employees," said Greg Adams, general manager of global marketing for GE Advanced Materials. "We look forward to another championship season with Roush Racing and DEWALT."

LEXAN resin is one of the toughest and most versatile polymers in existence and can be found in everything from DVDs to automotive headlamps and steering columns, to camping equipment, cell phones, and computer housings.

About GE Advanced Materials

GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Headquartered in Pittsfield, Mass., GE Advanced Materials is the combined entity of GE's former Plastics, Silicones and Quartz businesses. Its offerings include:

-- silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, caulks, resins and elastomers for a variety of vertical markets such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings and foam control, as well as the consumer "do it yourself" market. (http://www.gesilicones.com/gesilicones/am1/en/home.jsp)

-- engineering thermoplastic resins serving customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging. (http://www.geplastics.com/)

-- high-purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal care, and water purification industries. GE Advanced Materials is the number one supplier of quartz materials to the semiconductor industry. (http://www.gequartz.com/en/index.htm)

LEXAN is a registered trademark of General Electric Company.