Please Contact:
Glen R. Anderson, Executive Vice President

For Immediate Release

Northbrook, Illinois - February 17, 2003. The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) celebrates "50 Years of Advancing Pressure Sensitive Tapes" to recognize its 1953 founding by seven companies committed to the manufacture of tape products high in quality and performance. Today, PSTC's 26 member companies produce more than 90 percent of all tape manufactured in North America. Two founding members (3M and Permacel, A Nitto Denko Company) remain active in the association and leaders in the industry.

"This trade association has played a vital role in the tape industry for 50 years," said PSTC Volunteer President Carl M. Allieri, president of Compaq Corporation. "PSTC has been the driving force behind numerous industry advances and its champion in our nation's capital."

In 1955, PSTC published its first test method to offer customers greater assurance of quality products. PSTC's test methods now cover 28 different procedures and have become global standards to measure all types of tapes. PSTC works closely with ASTM to make sure that all testing procedures are consistent. Dr. Richard Streeper, 3M, chairs the volunteer committee working to bring PSTC test methods to Europe and Japan.

In 1978, PSTC held its first technical paper conference where manufacturers could share breakthrough tape technology. This year, PSTC presents its 26th Annual Technical Seminar, May 7-9, 2003, in Washington D.C. which is expected to draw 400 people to hear 27 technical papers. Dr. Anne-Marie Baker, Tyco Adhesives, chairs a committee of 10 volunteers working to bring the best ideas forward and produce another award-winning technical meeting.

PSTC leadership in representing the tape industry in Washington D.C. is evident with the success of the new air regulation title, "Maximum Achievable Control Technology for Paper and Other Web Coating Facilities" (P&OWC MACT Rule). PSTC has a long standing working relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When industry data and expertise is needed in developing new regulations, EPA immediately contacts PSTC to work collaboratively in generating industry data and developing reasonable regulations that will be supported by tape manufacturers. One association objective is to promote a clean environment.

PSTC has launched a quality educational training program -- PSTC Tape University (Fundamentals, September 15-16, 2003 in Baltimore and Advanced, May 5-6, 2003 in Washington D.C.). Faculty members are volunteer leaders from the tape industry with Dr. Roompram Ramharack, Adchem Corporation, chairing curriculum development.

"While our industry is small, about $5 billion annually in tape product production, you might say that tape holds the world together," Allieri joked. "Pressure sensitive tape is used daily by individuals, by manufacturing processes and in the service industry. PSTC is the bond that brings manufacturers together -- promoting consistent quality products that exceed customer expectations and continued innovation in product design and applications."