PITTSFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 2002--Rubbermaid(R) Home Products knew that the next generation of food storage containers needed to meet certain consumer demands in order to be successful. First, and most importantly, they had to be stain resistant -- especially to the unsightly stains that come from tomato-based food products. They had to be durable and virtually unbreakable.
They had to be microwave and dishwasher safe. Finding a material that could meet all of these consumer demands was no small task. After months of work, the Rubbermaid research and development team discovered that the new alloy resin XYLEX(TM) from GE Plastics could be reformulated with new properties to complete the stain resistant technology necessary to create Rubbermaid Stain Shield(TM), a patent-pending line of food storage containers.
Years of research told Rubbermaid that consumers want a food container that is durable, microwave and dishwasher safe, and glass-like in clarity. The research also told them that the number one plastic food storage complaint is staining -- especially when microwaving or storing tomato-based food products. Rubbermaid set out to solve the staining problem. "Our research and development led us to the discovery that a custom formulation of a XYLEX resin was stain resistant and that this new resin also had the other important properties we wanted our new product to have," said Robert Peterson, vice president of Research and Development at Rubbermaid Home Products. "It was a game-changing discovery in our product development efforts. Food storage will never be the same."
The Stain Shield food storage line was introduced by Rubbermaid in the early fall of 2002 and the company is launching a national rollout in early November. The product also features a leak-resistant seal, special tabs for transporting hot food, nestable and stackable bases and lids for easy organization, and a lifetime warranty. Both the lids and bases are made with XYLEX resin plus the lids feature a flexible, rubber-like seal.
XYLEX (pronounced "zigh-lex") resin was developed by GE Plastics and introduced in 2001, after nearly 6 years of research.
Its first commercial application was in a line of high-end sport sunglasses. The Stain Shield line is a significant product application for the new resin and is expected to put XYLEX resin on the map as an important new engineering thermoplastic. "We are thrilled with Rubbermaid's discovery," said Sherry Dick, General Manager, Global Crystalline Products for GE Plastics. "XYLEX is a unique material in that it combines clarity, strength, excellent chemical resistance, and the ability for the designer to create an aesthetically appealing product. Stain Shield containers' technology is a terrific innovation and we are delighted that XYLEX resin technology is a part of it."
In addition to housewares, XYLEX resin can be used in a wide range of applications, including consumer electronics (cell phone and small appliances), sporting goods, and automotive interiors. XYLEX resin is also available in a variety of colors and in several of GE Plastics' exciting Visualfx(TM) resin finishes.
A division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), GE Plastics is a leading producer of engineering thermoplastics, with major production facilities worldwide. GE Plastics materials, including LEXAN(R) polycarbonate, are used in a wide variety of applications such as CDs, automobile parts, computer housings, cookware, outdoor signage, cell phones, bullet resistant shielding and building materials. Through it's LNP Engineering Plastics business, the company is a worldwide leader in the custom compounding of engineering thermoplastics. GE Plastics is also a global distributor of resins through GE Polymerland, and of sheet, film, rod and tube products through Polymershapes and GE Structured Products. The company's Web site is located at www.geplastics.com.
Rubbermaid Home Products is the leading designer and manufacturer of organization-focused products. A Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL) company, Rubbermaid markets a full line of innovative home organization, kitchen, hardware, and office products in a variety of materials. Headquartered in Wooster, Ohio since 1921, Rubbermaid Home Products has facilities throughout the world. To learn more about Rubbermaid or to view the online catalog of ingenious storage and organization products, visit the web site at www.rubbermaid.com. Rubbermaid . . . How Life Gets Organized.
Stain Shield is a Trademark of Newell Rubbermaid
XYLEX and Visualfx are Trademarks of General Electric Company
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CONTACT: GE Plastics
Jay Pomeroy, 413/448-7481
or
Rubbermaid
Keri Butler, 330/202-5620
KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS/PLASTICS
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