[photo-3d] 3M Polarizers

[Andrew Woods <A.Woods@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

People may be interested to know that Polaroid has sold its polarizer
division to 3M.  Here's the press release:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3M Acquires Polaroid Technical Polarizer and Display
Films Business

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, and CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts "April 3, 2000" 
3M (NYSE:MMM) and Polaroid Corp. (NYSE:PRD) today announced that 3M's 
Optical Systems Division has purchased Polaroid's Technical Polarizer 
and Display Films business. The sale includes the acquisition or 
licensing of Polaroid patented technologies related to this business. 
Financial terms were not disclosed.

"This enhances 3M's display films portfolio by adding Polaroid's 
polarizer (circular, h-type and k-type), plastic display and certain 
display-viewing-enhancement film technologies," said Andrew H. Wong, 
division vice president, 3M Optical Systems Division. "We will 
continue to supply polarizing material to current customers, as well 
as to Polaroid for its finished sunglass, sunglass lens and sheet 
business," Wong said.

3M's line of light management products includes dual brightness 
enhancement film (DBEF), a proprietary thin film reflective polarizer 
that increases screen brightness for liquid crystal displays and 
extends the battery charge in portable devices. Other applications for 
3M's display films include desktop monitors, palmtop computers, display 
phones, instrumentation, word processors, personal TVs, camcorders, 
mobile communication devices, automotive and avionics displays, and
more.

Judith G. Boynton, executive vice president, business development, and 
chief financial officer, Polaroid Corp., said, "This allows us to focus 
our resources on growing our core imaging business.  We're pleased that 
a world-class company like 3M, which recently acquired our computer 
monitor anti-glare filter operation, decided to buy this business." The 
business will continue to operate at its current site in Norwood, Mass. 
A significant majority of the 85 employees will be offered positions
with 3M.  "We are impressed by the talent and expertise of our new 
employees and look forward to working together to build a strong and 
successful business," Wong said.

3M is a global diversified manufacturer of innovative products for the 
electronics, telecommunications, health care, industrial and consumer 
markets with annual sales of more than $15 billion. 3M has operations 
in more than 60 countries and is one of the 30 companies in the Dow 
Jones Industrial Average stock index.

Polaroid Corp., with annual sales of approximately $2 billion, is the 
worldwide leader in instant imaging. Polaroid supplies instant 
photographic cameras and films; digital imaging hardware, software and 
media; and secure identification systems to markets worldwide.

3M is a trademark of 3M company.
"Polaroid" is a registered trademark of Polaroid Corp.
Other company and product names may be the property of their respective 
owners.

From:
      3M Media Relations
      Building 225-1S-15
      St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
      Phone: (651) 733-8805

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|  Andrew Woods   | Centre for Marine Science and Technology,      |
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