ExxonMobil Chemical's New Generation of Lithium-Ion Battery Separators for HEVs Now Produced on a Commercial Line

Business Wire, May 8, 2007

HOUSTON -- ExxonMobil Chemical's affiliate, Tonen Chemical Corporation, is now producing on a commercial line its innovative microporous films for hybrid and electric vehicles (HEV/EV). The films are designed to meet the safety, reliability and power performance requirements of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) used in these applications.

The separators are produced using a proprietary wet, bi-orientation manufacturing process. The new films are co-extruded using specially tailored, high heat resistant polymers for improved separator properties. These enhancements to Tonen Chemical's proven technology ensure consistent separator quality and easy adoption in HEV LIB applications.

The advanced performance separators exhibit a unique combination of properties including enhanced permeability, higher meltdown temperature and melt integrity, without compromising the shutdown temperature and mechanical strength. The higher meltdown temperature significantly increases the film's thermal safety margin.

"Separator quality and safety and supply reliability are critical considerations for battery and automotive manufacturers to support the rapidly developing HEV/EV market," said Jim Harris, senior vice president of ExxonMobil Chemical. "Producing these next-generation separators on our commercial lines positions us well to meet the growing market needs."

This unique combination of properties is the result of close collaboration between Tonen Chemical, with over 20 years' experience in separator research and process technology, and ExxonMobil Chemical, a global leader in polyolefin technology. These separators offer the potential to make HEV batteries lighter, smaller and more durable, contributing to system cost reduction and improvements in design flexibility.

Tonen Chemical has recently invested in additional, fully scaleable commercial production lines to satisfy global automotive industry demands. The new generation films will be on display at the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (AABC) in Long Beach, CA, May 14-18. Samples are available immediately for advanced HEV/EV lithium-ion battery applications.

About ExxonMobil Chemical

ExxonMobil Chemical is a global leader in technology, product quality and customer service with petrochemical manufacturing and/or marketing operations in countries around the world. To find out more about ExxonMobil Chemical visit www.exxonmobilchemical.com.

Editor's notes:

1) The term "ExxonMobil Chemical" as used in this news release, refers collectively to some or all of the companies affiliated with Exxon Mobil Corporation, and/or itself, which have chemical manufacturing and/or marketing operations around the world.

2) ExxonMobil and the ExxonMobil logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.