Kraton Polymers and SO.F.TER. Develop a Lighter-weight, Higher-performance, Lower-cost, and More Environmentally-sustainable Solution for Slush Molded Interior Soft Skins

HOUSTON, October 7, 2010 - Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (www.kraton.com) (NYSE: KRA), a
leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers or "SBCs," and SO.F.TER.
SPA, compounder specialized in the production of tailor-made thermoplastic
elastomers and engineering solutions, in response to the demands of the
automotive industry for lighter-weight, higher-performance, lower-cost, and
more environmentally-sustainable solutions, announce the development of a new
SBC-based alternative for slush molded interior soft skins.

Slush molding is a specialized processing operation traditionally
designed for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based compounds to produce the interior
surface of automobiles such as instrument panel skins, door panels, airbags
and consoles.

"Kraton Polymers (www.kraton.com) and SO.F.TER.
(www.softerspa.com) formed a strategic alliance to leverage the
leading innovation and scientific capabilities of both companies. This
resulted in the development of a superior and more environmentally-friendly
alternative to PVC and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)," said Michael
Oberkirch, Vice President, Advanced Materials at Kraton Polymers.

This development provides a major technology and performance leap for the
automotive industry. Manufacturers can achieve significant improvements in
low-temperature performance, fogging, and recyclability while still using
existing slush molding equipment and standard processing conditions. An
additional benefit is lowered manufacturing costs due to reduced service
temperatures and decreased processing time.

"Our new product provides a 30 to 40% reduction in material weight,
better aging properties, and improved soft touch compared to existing
materials. These benefits help automotive manufacturers reduce the weight of
vehicle components, while still enhancing aesthetics and performance," added
Oberkirch. "This is another example of innovation and collaborative customer
relationships leading to a specialized product solution designed to meet
ever-increasing market needs," he concluded.

For more information about this superior alternative for slush molded
interiors, please contact Christian Kafka, Global Market Development Manager,
Kraton Polymers, at christian.kafka@kraton.com, or Riccardo Meucci, Sales
Director of SO.F.TER. TECNOPOLIMERI, at riccardo.meucci@softerspa.com. To
see, touch, and learn more about our new technology, please visit both
companies at the 2010 KSHOW
(www.k-online.de/cipp/md_k/custom/pub/show,fair,k2010/lang,2/oid,18008
/xa_nr,2180343/~/Web-ExhDatasheet/exh_datasheet) in Dusseldorf, Germany from
October 27 - November 3, 2010. Visit Kraton Polymers in Hall 6, Booth C80
(www.k-online.de/cipp/md_k/custom/pub/show,fair,k2010/lang,2/oid,18008
/xa_nr,2180343/~/Web-ExhDatasheet/exh_datasheet), or SO.F.TER. in Hall
6, Booth A58 (www.k-online.de/cipp/md_k/custom/pub/show,fair
,k2010/lang,2/oid,18008/kevent,search/search_string,softer%2520spa/page_id
,/sub_fairs,/~/Web-ExhSearch/exh_result).

About Kraton

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., through its operating subsidiary
Kraton Polymers LLC and its subsidiaries, is a leading global producer of
engineered polymers and, we believe, the world's largest producer of styrenic
block copolymers ("SBC's"), a family of products whose chemistry was
pioneered by us almost fifty years ago. SBC's are highly-engineered
thermoplastic elastomers, which enhance the performance of numerous products
by delivering a variety of attributes, including greater flexibility,
resilience, strength, durability and processability. Our polymers are used in
a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and
personal care products, sealants and lubricants, and medical, packaging,
automotive, paving, roofing and footwear products. We currently offer
approximately 800 products to more than 700 customers in over 60 countries
worldwide, and are the only SBC producer with manufacturing and service
capabilities on four continents. We manufacture products at five plants
globally, including our flagship plant in Belpre, Ohio, as well as plants in
Germany, France and Brazil, and a joint venture plant operated in Japan.

Kraton, the Kraton logo and design, and the "Giving Innovators their
Edge" tagline are all trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.

About SO.F.TER.

SO.F.TER. SPA develops and produces polymeric compounds for the
manufacturing industry and is among the few specialists whose range of
business goes from thermoplastic elastomers, to thermoplastic vulcanizates,
to engineering plastics. Thanks to its world-class technological know-how
SO.F.TER. can offer customized and integrated solutions, with a strong focus
on the automotive, home appliances, building, electrical/electronic, footwear
and sport industries. The SO.F.TER. Group has its headquarters in Forli,
Italy, with two production units in Mexico and Brazil. Products and Brands
include Thermoplastic Elastomers: Forprene(R) (TPV), Forflex(R) (TPO),
Laprene(R) (SEBS), Sofprene(R) (SBS), Sofpur(R) (TPU), Heraflex(R) P (TPO),
Forgrin(R), Terra(R) (TPE for turf infill), Pavprene(R) (bitumen modifier)
and Engineering Plastics: Polifor(R) (PP), Pibifor(R) (PBT), Nylfor(R) (PA6,
PA66), Abistir(R) (ABS), Stirofor(R) (HI-PS), Cabofor(R) (PC), Blendfor(R)
(PC/ABS), Norfor(R) (PPO), Sanfor(R) (SAN). For more information about
SO.F.TER. visit www.softerspa.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements," which are
statements other than statements of historical fact and are often
characterized by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "estimates,"
"projects," "may," "will," "intends," "plans" or "anticipates," or by
discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. All forward-looking statements
in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and
estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could
cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in "Part
I. Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on 10-K, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as subsequently updated in
our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and include risks related to: conditions
in the global economy and capital markets; our reliance on LyondellBasell
Industries for the provision of significant operating and other services; the
failure of our raw materials suppliers to perform their obligations under
long-term supply agreements, or our inability to replace or renew these
agreements when they expire; limitations in the availability of raw materials
we need to produce our products in the amounts or at the prices necessary for
us to effectively and profitably operate our business; competition in our
end-use markets, by other producers of SBCs and by producers of products that
can be substituted for our products; our ability to produce and commercialize
technological innovations; our ability to protect our intellectual property,
on which our business is substantially dependent; infringement of our
products on the intellectual property rights of others; seasonality in our
Paving and Roofing business; financial and operating constraints related to
our substantial level of indebtedness; product liability claims and other
lawsuits arising from environmental damage or personal injuries associated
with chemical manufacturing; political and economic risks in the various
countries in which we operate; the inherently hazardous nature of chemical
manufacturing; health, safety and environmental laws, including laws that
govern our employees' exposure to chemicals deemed harmful to humans;
regulation of our customers, which could affect the demand for our products
or result in increased compliance costs; international trade, export control,
antitrust, zoning and occupancy and labor and employment laws that could
require us to modify our current business practices and incur increased
costs; our relationship with our employees; loss of key personnel or our
inability to attract and retain new qualified personnel; fluctuations in
currency exchange rates ; the fact that we do not enter into long-term
contracts with our customers; a decrease in the fair value of our pension
assets, which could require us to materially increase future funding of the
pension plan; and concentration of ownership among our principal stockholder,
which may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate
decisions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update such
information.

    For Further Information:
    Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.
    Media: Marcie Coronado +1-281-504-4975

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Marcie Coronado of Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., +1-281-504-4975