GE Plastics is using a patented technology to color its polycarbonate resin with fluorescent dyes to add light piping to CDs and DVDs. Dubbed ``Edge Glow,'' the technology is aimed at content providers and optical media replicators looking to accentuate their brand and drive product differentiation in the CD and DVD marketplace. GE Plastics is offering Edge Glow as a complement to its line of SIGNATURE(TM) OQ resins that enables content providers to produce optical media in virtually any color palette. Manufacturers of consumer products are increasingly turning to product aesthetics to gain market share and promote brand recognition. ``This increased competition has resulted in an ever-increasing demand for unique cosmetic appeal and a pressing need for manufacturers to improve product differentiation,'' said Tokihiko Mori, manager of Marketing, Optical Media for GE Plastics. Using this innovative technology is part of GE Plastics' strategy to help our customers build on their valuable brands.`` The fluorescent dye technology is licensed to GE through an exclusive agreement with Fujitsu Component Limited of Japan.

Another proprietary resin technology from GE Plastics, SIGNATURE OQ resin enables content providers and replicators to produce optical media in colored polycarbonate without sacrificing quality. Colors can be developed for audio CDs, CD-roms, CD-Rs, and DVDs.

``Color is an exciting way for content providers to stand out in an industry dominated by silver discs,'' said Cathie Hess, market development manager for GE Plastics. ``Color combined with this exciting new fluorescent technology, can really help our customers add excitement to their to their product lines, drive their brand, and even differentiate `special edition' releases.''