Contact: Tracy Cullen
(202) 974-5282

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI LAUNCHES NEW BUSINESS GROUP FOR BIO-PHARMA INDUSTRY

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 3, 2006) – The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI), today announced the launch of a new group, the Bio-Process Systems Alliance, to promote the interests of makers of single-use process components and systems within the bio-pharma industry.

SPI is the umbrella organization providing a unified voice for the diverse plastics industry. According to President William Carteaux SPI has leveraged this diversity to become its strength. "Our two dozen business units and special interest groups tailor services to meet their respective needs, while enjoying economies of scale through SPI's core industry services, such as representation in Washington, D.C., industry-wide statistics, trade and access to new technologies, to name a few."

In welcoming the newest group into SPI, Carteaux said that it would give the bio-process companies greater visibility and a united voice to promote the benefits of single-use manufacturing over more traditional materials.

At an organizational meeting, Rick Sullivan of HyClone, a business unit of Fisher Biosciences, was elected chairman and Lisa Krallis-Nixon of Charter Medical was elected vice-chair. Ken Bibbo of Alfa Laval was elected secretary/treasurer and Don Jahn of Dow Corning was elected director-at-large.

Three key subcommittees were established. Chris Rombach of Stedim was elected chair of the subcommittee on identity. Roberta Landon of Millipore Corporation was elected chair of the education subcommittee. Tom Murphy of TC-Tech and Dave Bacehowski of HyClone, a business unit of Fisher Biosciences, were elected co-chairs of the subcommittee on guidelines and standards. The above seven members make up the new group's executive board.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the new Alliance are to:

• Grow the market nationally and internationally by facilitating adoption of single-use components and systems.
• Establish guidelines and standards for the use and disposal of single-use process components and systems.
• Educate customers, regulatory bodies and non-government organizations on the benefits of using single-use systems.

Membership will be open to all companies that manufacture single-use process components or systems used in the production of bio pharmaceuticals. Membership also will be open to suppliers and professional service providers to the above companies.

"The prospects for single-use growth are enormous," Carteaux said. "They are at the cutting edge of one of the fastest growing industries in the world. SPI will provide the Alliance with help in developing appropriate codes and standards, as well as expertise in legal and regulatory issues, marketing and promotion."

Membership and other inquiries should be addressed to SPI Executive Director Donna S. Dempsey (ddempsey@socplas.org or 202-974-5218).

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Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.3 million workers and provides nearly $345 billion in annual shipments.

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