May 2, 2002 Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. sells interests of J/V to the partner  -- Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.(President: Yoshiyuki Sumeragi, Head office: Tokyo) announced it sold all of its 50% interests in Metco North America, Inc. (Head office: Philadelphia) and Metablen Company B.V. (Head office: Vlissingen, the Netherlands) to its former joint venture partner, ATOFINA (Head office: Paris), effective March 28. --As joint ventures between Mitsubishi Rayon and ATOFINA, Metco North America and Metablen Company have been engaged in manufacturing and selling modifiers for polyvinyl chloride mainly for US and European market. After this transaction, ATOFINA, operating various businesses in the U.S.A. and Europe, takes 100% ownership of both companies and continues operating the modifier business. --Mitsubishi Rayon, a prominent manufacturer of acrylic resins, is developing plastic additives business globally with wide range of highly specialized products manufactured applying its accumulated technologies, especially, among others, additives for engineering plastics and polyolefin. --Furthermore, Mitsubishi Rayon continues its business of modifiers for polyvinyl chloride worldwide and focuses on Asian market, particularly Chinese market where the demand of modifiers has been dramatically increasing. For further informaiton,please contact to:   Public & Investor Relations Office:tel +81-3-5495-3100 e-mail : koho@mrc.co.jp [Reference] 1. Outline of Metco North America,Inc. Name: Metco North America,Inc. Representative: Arthur van Nostrand Head Office Location: 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 19103-3222 U.S.A. Establishment: April,1988 Paid-in capital: 36,820 USD (thousand) Shareholders: Atofina Chemicals, Inc. 50% Mitsubishi Rayon Co.,Ltd. 50% Business: Manufacture and sale of plastic modifiers Production capacity: 26,000 tons / year Employees: 63 2. Outline of MetablenCompany B. V. Name: Metablen Company B. V. Representative: Dieter Burkle Head Office Location: Haven 9850 Vlissingen-Oost The Netherlands Establishment: June,1989 Paid-in capital: 36,756 EUR (thousand) Shareholders: Atofina Holding B. V. 50% Mitsubishi Rayon Co.,Ltd. 50% Business: Manufacture and sale of plastic modifiers Production capacity: 13,500 tons / year Employees: 66 3. Outline of Atofina S.A. Name: Atofina S.A. Representative: F. Cornelis Head Office Location: 4-8, cours Michelet, La Défense 10 92091 PARIS LA DEFENSE cedex FRANCE Establishment: April,2000 Business: Manufacture and sale of petrochemicals and commodity polymers,performance polymers and specialty chemicals Sales: 17.5 USD (billion) (As of 2001) Employees: 72,000(approx.) [PAGE TOP]