Articles

ALBANY, N.Y., June 18, 2009 – Momentive Performance Materials Inc. today announced the inauguration of its new manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, bringing the number of Momentive’s established production plants to 27 globally. Construction of the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and application development center (ADC) started in June 2007. With an area covering over 15 acres and a manufacturing capacity to double from the current capacity, the facility has been created to address future expansion needs and underscores the long-term growth plans of the company in India. Equipment for the plant has been procured from various countries around the globe, including India.

“Building a manufacturing facility in India was an important strategic decision for Momentive,” said Dr. Ian Moore, President & CEO EMEA & India, Momentive. “India is one of the world’s most rapidly growing markets for automotive, construction, telecom and energy. Chennai, in particular, is developing into a significant cluster with regard to the above-mentioned industries. Our presence in India gives us a competitive edge that we intend to utilize in full.”

Products to be manufactured in the plant include silicone fluids and silicone elastomers. In addition to the Indian market, the new plant will serve Momentive’s customers in the countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation.

“Over the years we have stayed on course in realizing our vision of making Momentive a best-inclass specialty chemicals company in South Asia by combining global technology, application development, manufacturing and service capability with excellent products and services for the Indian region,” said V.P. Nalian, Managing Director, Momentive Performance Materials India. “The inauguration of this manufacturing facility in Chennai, in conjunction with our monomer and finishing plant in Rayong, Thailand will considerably enhance our capability to develop and manufacture products, create applications and service them in a efficient manner. This will help our customers win in the automotive, telecom, construction, personal care and textiles segments.”

Major growth sectors for Momentive in the region include energy (Silopren* liquid silicone rubber and silicone heat cured elastomers for polymeric insulators in the high voltage segment), telecom (key parts for mobile phones), coatings (for the automotive OEM and ancillary segments, both in local and export markets) and agriculture (Silwet* and superspreaders to reduce pesticides usage and water consumption, while increasing the efficacy and efficiency of pesticides sprayed on crops).

Research and development in Chennai will be focused on application development to meet local customer needs. A centralized customer service center at the plant will enhance co-ordination and services to customers, as well as end-to-end supply chain management operations. As a responsible corporate citizen, Momentive is engaged in a number of socially focused initiatives. In-house training programs centered on running the plant efficiently, with the highest safety standards, will be imparted to employees, while a number of community development programs are already in the pipeline. The Chennai facility will also be a zero discharge plant, underscoring Momentive’s commitment to take utmost care of the environment.

About Momentive

Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is a premier specialty materials company, providing hightechnology 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 controlled by an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P. Additional information is available at www.momentive.com.

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*Silopren is a trademark of Bayer AG, licensed to Momentive Performance Materials Inc.

*Silwet is a trademark of Momentive Performance Materials Inc.

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