DÜSSELDORF - PolyOne Corporation (NYSE: POL), a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, today announced the launch of WithStand™ Antimicrobial Solutions based on Sanitized® MedX 200s active ingredients at Compamed 2011 (Hall 8a/ Stand N26).

These new PolyOne solutions for the healthcare industry in Europe were developed in association with SANITIZED® AG, a leading producer of antimicrobials with over 50 years of experience, to provide high-quality, customizable solutions for demanding healthcare andmedical device applications.

"The excellent cooperation between PolyOne and SANITIZED AG allows us to combine PolyOne's experience formulating medical plastics with Sanitized's extensive knowledge of the optimal protection of articles against bacteria. Working closely together at even the early stages of development, we can design the most appropriate, customized solutions for our healthcare customers," said Larry Johnson, PolyOne global healthcare marketing director.

Microbe growth is a serious problem in the healthcare environment, particularly in hospitals where bacteria contamination can occur on medical devices, hospital equipment, or other inorganic hospital surfaces.

In Europe, six to nine percent of hospital patients are affected by hospital acquired infections (HAI) each year, and HAI are a serious and costly public health issue worldwide. Studies have shown that Sanitized® MedX active ingredients are effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as VRE, MRSA, and NDM-1. WithStand™ antimicrobial technology based on these active ingredients can inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi on plastic surfaces.

WithStand™ solutions meet the high quality requirements of medical applications including medical devices for respiratory and anesthesia applications, transportable medical devices, hospital furnishings, Class I, II, and III medical devices, medical packaging, and other healthcare and wellness-related applications.

This new WithStand™ technology featuring Sanitized® MedX is available as a masterbatch (combined with colorants) or as fully-formulated Trilliant™ healthcare compounds based on a wide range of resin types, including polyolefins, thermoplastic elastomers, and engineering thermoplastics such as copolyesters, PC, and ABS.

PolyOne WithStand™ solutions include assistance with additive choice and let-down ratio; process, product, and specification development; and efficacy testing and claims development. These services reduce time to market and help to maintain quality levels for products that require antimicrobial protection.

WithStand products containing Sanitized® MedX 200s antimicrobials are available in Europe, while the remainder of the WithStand range is available globally. The expanding WithStand range of solutions demonstrates PolyOne's commitment to the healthcare industry and to helping converters and OEMs more effectively grow their businesses.

About PolyOne

PolyOne Corporation, with 2010 revenues of $2.6 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. Headquartered outside of Cleveland, Ohio USA, PolyOne has operations around the world. For additional information on PolyOne, visit our Web site at www.polyone.com.

About Sanitized

SANITIZED AG is a leading worldwide producer of antimicrobials for hygiene and material protection for textiles and plastics. SANITIZED is committed to responsible ecological practices with products that use only scientifically researched and registered antimicrobial active ingredients that have undergone strict, internationally approved risk assessments for people and the environment. The company also offers support for marketing and technical queries, comprehensive testing services, and a universally recognized brand and licensing concept.