NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Performance Minerals has also been  successful in the commercialization of its  Optibloc® talc blends used in high-clarity  film and bag applications. Optibloc® talc  is an antiblocking agent used to prevent the  adhesion of two adjacent layers of film, a  problem most associated with polyethylene  and polypropylene films. They are designed  for high-clarity polyethylene film applications  such as food packaging and clear bags.  The business unit is also in the process of  developing a new process in manufacturing  talc that provides customers with ease of  handling and higher throughputs. During the year, Minteq developed a new  high performance gunnable refractory  material for the Electric Arc Furnace market  that was successfully trialed at key accounts  in North America. This new technology  platform will be further developed and  commercialized in 2014. Minteq also successfully trialed a new  calcium delivery system in North America  that will be rolled out globally in 2014. This  new delivery system has a smaller footprint  and is easier to operate. The Performance Minerals business unit,  which consists of our Processed Minerals  operations and our Specialty PCC product  line, has also been successful in developing  new, value-added products for customers.  Processed Minerals mines and processes  ground calcium carbonate (GCC) in  California, Connecticut and Massachusetts,  and the company has a large talc mine  and processing plant in Montana. These  products are used primarily in the  construction and automotive industries.  The Specialty PCC product line is directed  to such applications as pharmaceuticals,  calcium fortification and automotive sealants In the past year, Performance Minerals  launched its VICRON® FRP new calcium  carbonate product for reinforcement of  plastic for such applications as sheet  molding compound, bulk molding  compound and thermoset polyesters. The product reduces the viscosity of  thermoset compounds to improve the  productivity and quality by providing a  better mold-cavity fill at a faster rate. Reinforcement with VICRON® FRP calcium  carbonate provides excellent mechanical  properties of the finished thermoset part,  and is a cost-effective solution for reinforced  plastic applications without sacrificing  performance properties. High Filler Portfolio Fulfill® E and V Series Deployment New Products for Minteq International New Products in Performance  Minerals * Assumes baseline UCWF paper at 20% filler loading 35 Active Engagements Q4 2013  Business Development activity in ~35 mills 25 22 14 29 7 30 1 4 16 15 35 10 5 13 18 19 31 2 30 20 21 24 8 9 11 12 6 23 26 27 28 17 33 32 34 Active Discussions Agreement to Trial N. America L. America Asia Europe Equipment in  Place Technology  Validated Commercial  Agreement Filler  Points % Filler  Increase (*) Papermaker Savings ($/ton) fulfill series combinations & NPPD Pipeline 15+ 75+ Up to 40+ fulfill F series & fulfill series synergies  10+ 50+ Up to 30 fulfill E series & fulfill V series 4-9 20-45 Up to 25 fulfill E series 3-5 15-25 Up to 20 fulfill A series 1-2 5-10 Up to 10 FulFill® High-Filler Technologies In late 2010, MTI launched its FulFill®  platform of high-filler technologies to provide  papermakers with additional cost savings. These technologies increase PCC filler rates  in paper and reduce costs by replacing high- cost fiber. The FulFill® E-325 technology  has been the most widely adopted by the  worldwide paper industry. In 2013, MTI  signed four commercial agreements with  paper companies to bring our total to 15  agreements on four continents. MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. 13