FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2002

New Plexiglas® sheet hides LED sources in channel letters

ORLANDO, FL, April 4, 2002 -- Atoglas today announced a new Plexiglas® light diffusing LED acrylic sheet formulated specifically for channel letters using light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources. The new acrylic sheet is being exhibited at the International Sign Association Expo held here at the Orlando Orange County Convention Center this week. The Atoglas booth contains sample channel letters fabricated with the new Plexiglas sheet.

As explained by Tom DeMain, marketing manager, LED sources are quickly displacing neon and fluorescent sources for channel letter lighting. "Being solid state," he says, "LEDs last longer—up to 100,000 hours. They also operate on low voltage and require less energy to run. Plus the LED modules attach easily to the back of channel letters using adhesive tape.

"But, being intense point sources of light, LEDs are more difficult to hide than neon or fluorescent sources," says DeMain. "Often they result in an undesirable pattern of pinpoints of light in the channel letter. That's where Plexiglas light diffusing LED acrylic sheet comes in. We've formulated this new sheet to greatly increase its diffusion properties. It produces a bright, uniformly lit letter surface regardless of the intensity and size of the backlight source," he says.

"We're making the new acrylic sheet available in all the colors and sizes typically used by the sign industry for channel letters," says DeMain. For more information on Plexiglas light diffusing LED acrylic sheet¸ contact Tom DeMain, marketing manager, Atoglas, 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or call 800-647-5569.

About Atoglas
Atoglas is a global business that manufactures and markets sheet and polymer products worldwide. In North, South, and Central America, these are sold as Plexiglas® acrylic sheet and Plexiglas acrylic molding and extrusion resins. Atoglas also markets Tuffak® polycarbonate sheet and Implex® impact acrylic sheet. In Europe, acrylic resins are sold under the Oroglas® trade name and acrylic sheet under Altuglas®. In Asia Pacific, acrylic resins are marketed as Oroglas® and acrylic sheet as Goldglas®.

www.atoglas.com
www.plexiglas.com

About Atofina Chemicals
ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc. produces high-performance chemicals and polymers. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ATOFINA Chemicals employs 3,000 people, and reported sales in 2001 of $1.4 billion. ATOFINA Chemicals is part of ATOFINA, the world's 5th largest chemical company with 72,000 employees and sales in 2001 of $17.5 billion (EUR19.6 billion). ATOFINA is the chemical branch of TotalFinaElf (NYSE: TOT), the world's 4th largest oil and gas company with 123,000 employees and sales in 2001 of $94 billion (EUR105 billion).

www.AtofinaChemicals.com

Plexiglas, Tuffak, Implex, Oroglas, Altuglas, and Goldglas are registered trademarks, and Atoglas is a trademark, belonging to Atofina.

Atoglas
2000 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: +1 (215) 419-5013
Fax: +1 (215) 419-7930
E-Mail: anita.palmieri@atofina.com
Website URL: www.atoglas.com