Mattel, Inc. Entering Into Contracts With Consultants to Identify New, Innovative, and Organically Based Plastics

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (PROTEXT) - Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) todayannounced that it is bringing together a consortium of theworld's most innovative materials developers and consultants toformally begin investigating newly developed, environmentallyfriendly, and organically based materials for its products andpackaging. Mattel's mandate to these firms is to identifymaterials that are derived from organic and renewable sourceswhile maintaining the safety and structural integrity of thecompany's products. It is the company's belief that significant advances inmaterials technology, properly managed over the next two to threeyears, will enable Mattel to move beyond the use of traditionalplastics to new materials that are far more environmentallyfriendly. In keeping with its long-standing tradition of providing thesafest products possible, this transition to new and organicallyderived materials will be made only after extensive qualitytesting to assure child safety and regulatory compliance world-wide. No new material will be introduced unless it meets orexceeds the safety performance of current plastics includingresistance to micro-organisms, pliancy to avoid injury and thestrength required to prevent hazards such as small parts, sharppoints or sharp edges. Durability under extreme play patterns andenvironmental conditions must also be guaranteed. However, thecompany remains committed to following through with this courseof action as quickly as technology permits. According to Rich Molyneux, senior vice president of Quality &Operations Technology, "At a time when consumers around the worldare increasingly interested in purchasing products manufacturedwith organic and environmentally sustainable ingredients, webelieve that technology is now emerging that will enable us toanswer that demand within our toy lines. There are many new andexciting materials in development that will offer alternatives totraditional plastics with equal or superior characteristics.Mattel is committed to incorporating them into its productlines." The company intends to begin the introduction of productsproduced from organically derived materials as early as 2001,based on extensive research in 2000. As the viability of thesenew technologies is confirmed, their use will be expanded intoall brand categories and product lines. On a related issue, Mattel has already made significantprogress in addressing concerns raised by various environmentalorganizations, as well as retailers, by eliminating the use ofphthalates in mouth toys intended for children under 3. While thescientific evidence still strongly supports the safety ofphthalates, Mattel felt compelled to address the concerns ofenvironmentalists, retailers and consumers until the debateconcerning the safety of phthalates is resolved. Mattel, Inc., is a worldwide leader in the design, manufactureand marketing of family products. Headquartered in El Segundo,Calif., Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries andsells its products in more than 150 nations throughout the world.ots Original Text Service: Mattel, Inc. Internet:http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Glenn Bozarth of Mattel,Inc., 310-252-3521 Company News On-Call:http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/540363.html or fax, 800-758-5804,ext. 540363

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