RENO, Nev., April 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ALTI) announced today that it has successfully produced kilogram quantities of titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment base using its patented Altair Hydrochloride Pigment Process (AHPP) and to date several pigment companies have been sampled with this material. Altair was recently awarded the first new comprehensive TiO2 pigment process patents since Dupont's chloride process patents were awarded in the 1950's.
Altair's process for manufacturing titanium dioxide is a unique combination of processes involving extraction, purification, and pigment formation. The initial pigment development program focused on pigment formation from a pure titanium oxy chloride feedstock.
Outstanding features of the process include lower operating costs, minimized environmental and health risks and the ability to recycle all of the chemical additives used in the process. Improved cost and environmental features potentially give Altair's process a competitive advantage in the industry.
"We acquired Broken Hill Proprietary's (BHP's) technology knowing that its new pigment process had significant advantages over both the sulfate and chloride pigment processes currently in use," said Altair President Dr. Rudi E. Moerck. "BHP, a multi-billion dollar global resources company and its Reno, NV-based scientists believed its pigment process would prove to be the 'best available technology' within the industry to produce titanium dioxide pigment - and based on our findings, it is. Altair has focused on the production of a wide range of unique nanomaterial products while the TiO2 Pigment process patents were issued in order to protect the company's intellectual property from other pigment manufacturers.
"Having the capability to produce quality titanium dioxide pigment, a product that has the potential to compete in the $9 billion pigment industry is a significant milestone for Altair," continued Dr. Moerck. "While all testing has not been completed, results to date are extremely positive. We are interested in supplying kilogram samples to other pigment companies at no cost provided they share testing data with Altair."
"We anticipate the dissemination of several significant news releases prior to our April 11th Investor Conference," added Dr. Moerck.
ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging as a unique industry sector. Altair Nanotechnologies is positioning itself through product innovation within this emerging industry to become a leading supplier of nanomaterial technology and nanomaterials worldwide. Altair owns a proprietary technology for making nanocrystalline materials of unique quality both economically and in large quantities. The company is currently developing special nanomaterials with potential applications in pharmaceuticals, batteries, fuel cells, solar cells, advanced energy storage devices, thermal spray coatings, catalysts, cosmetics, paints and environmental remediation. For additional information on Altair and its nanoparticle materials, visit www.altairnano.com .
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company's actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the possibilities that the company may be unable to attract additional customers, funded research opportunities, product development opportunities or ventures through its sales and branding campaign, that the company may never earn sufficient revenues to be profitable and that the company's nanoparticle products may not be integrated into any major market groups and products, in addition to other risks identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC.
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