U.S. Department of Energy Awards Momentive $4.5 Million Grant

Momentive to Develop Innovative Crystal Growth Technology Aimed at Accelerating
Mass Market Production of LED-based Solid State Lighting, Reducing U.S. Lighting
Energy Usage
ALBANY, N.Y.--(Business Wire)--
Momentive Performance Materials will receive $4.5 million in funding from the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to continue the development of breakthrough
technology for the low cost production of light emitting diodes (LEDs) used in
solid state lighting (SSL) and for increased LED light source performance. LED
lights can consume 75 percent less energy and have a longer lifetime than common
lighting options, but LED-based lighting is currently more expensive to produce
than conventional lighting. The DOE announcement about the Momentive award was
made on October 26, 2009.

"We are honored to be among the first recipients of this innovative funding
program and its inspiring mission of working toward a low cost, secure and low
carbon energy future for the U.S.," said Eric Thaler, Chief Technology Officer,
Momentive Performance Materials. "The grant will allow us to help develop the
commercial-scale technology, processes and equipment needed for the
cost-effective, mass production of energy efficient LEDs. This, in turn, should
help facilitate a game-changing transition from current lighting technology to
solid-state lighting in this country and the rest of the world. The transition
to LED-based SSL would have enormous impact on everyday life, from substantial
energy savings to revolutionary design and applications in general
illumination."

DOE has estimated that by 2025, with appropriate R&D funding, the displacement
of incandescent and fluorescent lighting sources with SSL could result in a 29
percent decrease in national energy consumption for lighting. In addition to
being more energy efficient, LED-based lighting is also more versatile than
conventional lighting, as it can be integrated into a variety of structures,
components and design elements for innovative and widespread use.

Based on Momentive`s platform technology and initiated by Momentive, the
two-year energy research project brings together a team of companies that are
expert in ammonothermal bulk gallium-nitride (GaN) crystal growth technology,
high pressure/high temperature reactor development and LED device testing and
development. Collaborating with Momentive on the award-winning project are
Soraa, Inc. and Advanced Photonic Crystals, LLC. Soraa was co-founded by
world-leading experts in GaN materials and devices. Advanced Photonic Crystals,
LLC is an on-shore manufacturer of innovative laser and optical crystals, with
expertise in high-pressure autoclave engineering and crystal growth that is
being brought to bear on this project.

Momentive`s winning proposal is among the 1 percent of ambitious research
projects selected to receive funding after a rigorous review by the DOE of
approximately 3,700 submissions. This is another example of Momentive's
heritage: almost 70 years of being first to market with technology-based
solutions that positively impact and improve everyday life.

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Energy`s Advanced Research Projects
Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) funding program, please visit www.arpa-e.energy.gov.

About Momentive Performance Materials

Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is a premier specialty materials company,
providing high-technology materials solutions to the silicones, quartz and
ceramics markets. The company, as a global leader with worldwide operations, has
a robust product portfolio, an enduring tradition of service excellence, and
industry-leading research and development capabilities. Momentive Performance
Materials Inc. is controlled by an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P.
Additional information is available at www.momentive.com.

Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
Media Contact-Americas
Nancy Pitts, +001-203-801-0836
Nancy.Pitts@momentive.com
or
Media Contact-Europe, Middle East & Africa
Ulrike Pohl, +49 (0) 214 30 2 00 46
Ulrike.Pohl@momentive.com
or
Media Contact-Asia/Pacific
Joyce Sun, +86-21-507 937 39
Joyce.Sun@momentive.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009