INVISTA LAUNCHES 2004-2005 STYLE COLLECTION
Collection Inspired Through Consultations With OEM Designers Designers Seeks To Enhance Interior Design Elements

May 19, 2004

INVISTA, the world's leading fibers and intermediates business, today announced the launch of its 2004-2005 INVISTA style collection developed specifically for use by creative designers in the automotive industry. The company also announced that in addition to the renowned nylon 6,6 performance fibers, this year's collection marks the introduction of specialized automotive upholstery fabrics borrowing from the company's world-class technologies. The new INVISTA collection will be unveiled at the Automotive Interiors Show in Detroit, MI, May 19-20, 2004.

"We've been meeting with OEMs for the past year to really get to the heart of the obstacles in automotive interior design particularly on the floor," says Jane Gillett, INVISTA Transportation Flooring Design Resource Manager. "Having this direct interaction has made it possible for us to put our design and technology expertise to work," she adds.

Since the Style Collection launch at the Auto Interiors Show in May 2002, INVISTA has worked directly with Tier 1s and Tier 2s to bring differentiated looks to automotive interiors. The company has also been working closely with the renowned Chicago-based commercial design firm Perkins & Will/Eva Maddox Associates, Inc. The colors and textures included in the 2004-2005 INVISTA collection have been developed specifically and deliberately for automotive interiors.

Among the 60 new flooring styling products being showcased this year are the INVISTA:

* Cut and Loop: A combination of loop pile tufts and cut pile tufts

* Level Loop: A loop carpet with a level surface

* Textured Loop: A loop carpet with varying degrees of height to create a loop texture.

* Tip Shear: A combination of loops and sheered loops to create a cut or uncut texture or pattern

"Designers want to use the floor as a design element. They believe the floor has been under- utilized with a reliance on solid color, cut pile velour for the last 20 years. This collection now makes it possible for the floor to become a design focal point." This collection has been very well timed and received by OEMs.

In addition to the nylon 6,6 performance fibers, this year's collection will preview performance fabrics, notably soft, bi-directional stretch and recovery fabrics, produced with INVISTA T400™yarns. The stretch properties of the fabrics are actually part of the yarn and, unlike other stretch alternatives, these high-tech fabrics will wear better over time. Additionally, these yarns, which come out of LYCRA® fiber technology, can be dyed, are UV resistant while offering stretch and abrasion resistance.

"These fabrics allow designers to explore new applications for seat covers and interior surfaces. What we're offering is a new technology for automotive fabrics," says Gillett.

'"Today's automotive designer is demanding more options. They want more available to them, and are looking for alternate and differentiating looks and materials. The sheer magnitude of INVISTA resources, from fashion, commercial and residential interiors to automotive interiors, allows us to offer OEMs a very deep and wide cross section of expertise, and this collection is just one example of what’s to come."'

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