Listing: TSX Symbol: CYM TORONTO and SCHAFFHAUSEN, SWITZERLAND, Feb. 28 /CNW/ - Cymat Corp. (TSX:CYM), an innovative materials technology company, and Georg Fischer Automotive, one of the world's leading suppliers of cast components for the automotive industry, announced today that they have successfully commissioned the new, commercial scale pilot aluminum foam production system located at Georg Fischer's facility in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. This system can be used by Georg Fischer to produce near-net shape aluminum foam components for both automotive and non-automotive applications. "Cymat has made significant progress during this past year," said Dr. Leopold Kniewallner, Georg Fischer Automotive's Director of R&D. "They have successfully transitioned their bench-scale, near-net shape Low Pressure Foam Casting (LPFC(TM)) process into a truly production-scale commercial process." "The commissioning of our new, commercial scale pilot aluminum foam production system was carried out on schedule, and confirms the most important milestone in our successful partnership with Cymat," added Dr. Kniewallner. "We have significantly progressed our ability to produce near-net shape aluminum foam parts using commercial scale LPFC(TM) process technology and equipment," said Dr. Paul A. Tichauer, Cymat's President and CEO. "We are very pleased by the results of the extensive testing carried out during commissioning of the commercial scale pilot production system at Georg Fischer's facility in Switzerland, and also by the positive reaction to the system's performance from our production partner - Georg Fischer Automotive." About Cymat: Cymat develops innovative materials for industry. The company has exclusive worldwide rights, through patents and licenses, for producing Stabilized Aluminum Foam. The ultra-light metallic foam is manufactured by bubbling gas through molten alloyed aluminum containing a dispersion of fine ceramic particles and can be produced as either Near-net Shapes or Flat Panels. The result is a new strategic material with a wide array of benefits, including a good stiffness-to-weight ratio, mechanical energy absorption at low stress levels, thermal and acoustic insulation, recyclability and relatively low cost of production. Cymat is collaborating with a number of partners spanning the automotive, transportation and construction industries. The company's principal market focus is automotive, where aluminum foam is ideally suited to the industry's objectives to make vehicles lighter, safer and better for the environment. For further information, visit the Web site www.cymat.com. About Georg Fischer Automotive: GF Automotive is the automotive branch of the GF concern based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Their main field of operation lies in the development and manufacture of highly stressed cast components for the automobile industry and its suppliers. GF Automotive is the technological and market leader in Europe, having all the relevant casting facilities for series production (sand casting, gravity die casting, pressure die casting) in iron, aluminium and magnesium. Manufacturing locations are available in Germany, Austria and the Peoples Republic of China. These are complemented by the linking office in Northville, Michigan and resident engineers at the premises of the most important customers. The development competence is centred in Schaffhausen, Switzerland and in Munich, Germany. The essential development stages are component design, computer assisted calculation, analysis and simulation together with questions regarding economic manufacture. GF Automotive employs about 6,000 people world wide and achieved revenues of $CDN 1.6 billion in 2003. Of this, 50% was attributed to iron castings, 46% to light-metal castings and 4% to wheel systems and fifth wheel couplings. For further information visit the Web site www.georgfischer.com. The foregoing press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the development of markets, development programs, future revenues and improvements in technology, which are subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include the availability of funding, existing and future relationships with suppliers and manufacturers, the results of research and development activities, risks of technological breakthroughs that make Cymat stabilized aluminum foam less attractive, risks relating to the breadth, scope and enforceability of intellectual property rights, general industry and market conditions, availability of qualified personnel, and reliance on co-development partners. For additional information with respect to these and other factors, see the reports filed by Cymat Corp. with the Ontario Securities Commission. Cymat Corp. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.