ANN ARBOR, MI (January 28, 2003) - Flint Ink announces a multimillion-dollar commitment to become the leading provider of conductive and advanced printing inks and printed electronics technology and processes. The commitment, including staff expansion and plans to develop a state-of-the-art development and resource center, will position Flint Ink to capture a significant share of several growth and emerging markets. Says Dave Frescoln, President, Flint Ink Corporation, "We will be expanding our staff, aligning strategic partnerships, and leveraging relationships worldwide to help customers expand their business with conductive printing inks and printed electronics applications."  Jim Rohrkemper, Vice President, Emerging Business Segments, remarks, "Intelligent packaging, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and printed electronics technologies and applications are quickly developing. Lighting and display markets also provide growth opportunities.  Our new commitment will allow us to more quickly transform concepts into 'Smart' inks, printed electronic solutions, and RFID technologies for next-generation intelligent packaging and supply chain applications."  The new development and resource center will be located near the company's world headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI and is expected to open for business in the third quarter of 2003. It will house sophisticated laboratories, a state-of-the-art pressroom, and other advanced technology.  This centralization of assets will allow Flint Ink to rapidly assess and understand specific customer requirements, select appropriate ink technology, and develop application-specific solutions. According to Rohrkemper, being able to reduce cycle time-the time from concept to product delivery-is critical in such a high-tech environment. The center will provide the resources necessary to speed the process. Bill Miller, President, Flint Ink North America, comments, "Many of our current packaging printers and converters have indicated a great interest in intelligent packaging applications. We will be the company that provides the most value to customers by enabling them to offer an array of intelligent packaging solutions."  Dr. Joseph Raksis, Senior Vice President, Research and New Market Development, comments, "We can leverage our eighty-plus years of experience in the graphic arts and printing ink industries to gain important new business. Our understanding of ink chemistry, formulation expertise, coupled with our knowledge of materials science and printing processes and technologies give us the necessary tools for success in making conductive inks and printed electronic devices." Founded in 1920, Flint Ink offers a comprehensive range of flexographic, sheetfed, web offset, gravure, UV/EB curable, and digital inks. Operations are organized into six segments: North America, Latin America, Asia/Pacific, Flint-Schmidt in Europe, Digital and CDR Pigments and Dispersions. Flint Ink operates nearly 100 facilities worldwide, employs approximately 5,000 people and has sales in excess of $1.4 billion USD worldwide. For additional information on Flint Ink's value-added products and services, contact: Rita Conrad, Director of Corporate Communications, Flint Ink: 4600 Arrowhead Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; Tel: 734-622-6362; Fax: 734-622-6131;E-mail: [email protected]; Internet: www.flintink.com.