IISRP ELECTS SINOPEC’S ZHANG YONG PRESIDENT FOR 2002-2003

NAPLES, ITALY–13 May 2002 - Zhang Yong, Vice Director of Science and Technology of Sinopec, was elected International President of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) for the year 2002-2003 at the association’s 43rd annual meeting in Naples, Italy, May 12-15.

He succeeds Roberto Paiella, Director of the Elastomers and Styrenics Division, Polimeri Europa, who becomes the International Past-President.

Mr. Zhang earned his bachelor’s degree from Beijing Polytechnic University in 1983 and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from East China University of Science and Technology in 1986. That same year he began his business career with China Petrochemical Corporation, now known as SINOPEC, where he become involved in the development of ethylene, polyethylene, rubber, and other products. Named to his present position in 1998 he is responsible for petrochemical research and development management within SINOPEC.

Others elected to the IISRP Executive Committee for the year 2002-2003 are:

• European Section: Dr. Roger Morgan, Kraton™ Polymers, President; Nicolaas Viets, DSM Elastomers Europe, First Vice-President; Herman Van Roost, AtoFina Elastomers, Second Vice- President.
  
  
• Far East Section: Zhang Yong, Sinopec, President; Tadahiko Ito, JSR Corporation, First Vice-President; Yang, Jigang, PetroChina Chemical Corporation, Second Vice-President.
  
  
• Americas Section: Dr. Gunter Hilken, Bayer Corporation, President; James Conway, Uniroyal Chemical, First Vice-President; Steve Wood, Kraton™ Polymers, Second Vice-President.
  

In addition, Jacques Collonge, Eliokem, was elected Treasurer and James McGraw, IISRP Managing Director and CEO, was elected Assistant Treasurer and Secretary. Mr. Collonge will also chair the Performance Review Committee. Other members of the PRC are: Karl-Heinz Geigl, Dow Chemical; John Schremp, Firestone Polymers L.L.C.; Yutaka (York) Otawa, Zeon Corporation.

The IISRP is an international not-for-profit association with 49 corporate members domiciled in 21 countries who produce 95 percent of the world’s supply of synthetic rubber. Incorporated in 1960 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the Institute supports section offices in London and Tokyo.