Applied Minerals Inc. Introduces Dragonite to the Polymer Composite Market

Applied Minerals Inc., a leading global producer of Halloysite Clay, has completed trials incorporating its Halloysite Clay as a drop-in additive for reinforcement in polymer composites. As a result of these trials, the Company has filed a Provisional Patent Application with the USPTO for a novel method of producing a halloysite-polymer composition that (i) eliminates two costly steps typically used in the compounding process and (ii) produces improved properties to other polymer composites reinforced with (a) Halloysite Nanotubes utilizing other composition methods, (b) chemically treated MMT Organo/Nanoclay and (c) certain traditional fillers.

Applied Minerals intends to market its line of Halloysite products under the Company's Dragonite brand name. The Dragonite line will consist of different grades of Halloysite Clay products tailored to enhance the property performance of each target application, in a cost competitive manner.

The Dragonite group of products is led by its first offering, Dragonite-XR, a drop-in additive specifically engineered for polymer reinforcement. Composites formed with Dragonite-XR exhibit not only high stiffness but also high tensile and flex strength, all with a low density and retained toughness. The Company is currently exploring joint development opportunities with compounders interested in producing a line of polymer composites incorporating Dragonite-XR.

According to Andre Zeitoun, CEO of Applied Minerals, Inc.: "We believe that our Dragonite XR Halloysite Clay product, combined with our patent pending method of compounding, provides the polymer composite industry a large-volume production of high-performance, eco-friendly material with a cost-performance ratio that enables the manufacturer to compete favorably with traditional fillers. In addition to the polymer industry, we are making great progress with our product development engineers demonstrating the benefits of Dragonite products for various targeted end market applications. We anticipate launching new product datasheets in the near future."