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Innovative Makrolon® snowboard is 100 percent recyclable: Snowboarders are going “green” with new clear boards made of Makrolon® polycarbonate by Bayer MaterialScience

July 10, 2008

Pittsburgh, July 10, 2008 — The latest thing to hit the ski slopes is an innovative new snowboard that has already created quite a buzz thanks to its eye-catching styling and unique construction characteristics. The Makboard™ is a clear, soft flex snowboard made of Makrolon® 3103 polycarbonate resin from Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS). The Makboard is the only snowboard that is made from one material, has a clear appearance, and is 100 percent recyclable.

The Makboard has a concave bottom design referred to as “Flow-Thru Technology.” The concave feature channels snow through two slots in the tail, allowing the board to stabilize in the powder which provides effortless turns. “It is like nothing you have ever experienced, the soft flex and huge camber make you feel like you are riding a surfboard in powder,” according to Makboard inventor Bob Candler. There are no metal edges to rust or break from impact. In fact, an advantageous property of Makrolon resin is that it can be sharpened with a standard file to enhance edge control on hard pack snow.

“We chose Makrolon polycarbonate from the start because of its amazing performance in proven applications, as well as its flexibility and clarity,” said Candler, who has perfected the board for over 10 years with the assistance of his cousin, Bob Ryan. “The material performs exceptionally well, and the Makboard is a prime example of the ‘miracles of Makrolon’ in our everyday lives. Compared with standard snowboards that end up in landfills all over the globe by the millions, the Makboard is 100 percent recyclable, which gives people the option of living “green.”

There are other advantages as well. The Makboard won’t delaminate like standard-construction snowboards, and delivers a smooth ride with less chatter. Due to the tri-hulled bottom of the board, it is more stable than traditional boards when carving turns or going straight. Standard snowboards do not have this feature and, therefore, can be especially difficult to control when going straight. Furthermore, the Makboard absorbs the shock of bumps on the trail, resulting in a ride that is easier on the snowboarder’s knees and body than a ride with a traditional snowboard.

The Makboard is molded by A.L.P Lighting Components which specializes in processing clear thermoplastic materials. The board is about 62 inches (157 cm) long and weighs nine pounds, seven ounces. It ranges in thickness from one-half inch to one-quarter inch and has a cycle time of approximately five minutes. In a secondary operation following molding, 16 inserts are installed to hold the board’s bindings in place. According to Director of Operations Tim DeYoung, Makrolon 3103 polycarbonate resin has performed very well in the injection molding of the Makboard.

“The Makboard creators chose Bayer’s Makrolon polycarbonate material for its toughness and design flexibility, but also for the excellent technical support provided by Bayer MaterialScience,” said Kevin Dunay, BMS market segment leader for consumer and medical. “To meet the high-performance demands Bob envisioned for the Makboard, Bayer tested numerous inserts to hold the bindings, provided design and molding recommendations, and conducted extensive structural and mold-filling analyses.”

The first commercially available Makboards are now available at Tait’s Boardshop in Olympic Valley, Calif., as well as online at www.makboard.com.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,400 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2007 sales of 10.4 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry. Let us give life to your vision. Bayer MaterialScience –– Where VisionWorks.

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, Bayer had 2007 net sales of 8.1 billion euros and employed 16,800 at year end. Bayer’s three subgroups, Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience, improve people’s lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose, prevent and treat diseases; protect crops and enhance yields; and advance automobile safety and durability.

For more information about the Makboard, call 877-MAK-BORD (877-625-2673) or visit www.makboard.com.

For more information about A.L.P Lighting Components, call 231-547-1434 or visit www.alplighting.com.

Media Contact(s)
Contact:	Bill Allan
Tel:	412-777-5200
Company:	Bayer MaterialScience
e-mail:	bill.allan@bayerbms.com

The Makboard™ snowboard is made from Bayer MaterialScience’s Makrolon® 3103 polycarbonate resin.

The properties of Makrolon polycarbonate resin, combined with the unique design features of the Makboard, result in an innovative snowboard that performs well in both powder and hard pack snow.