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## NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 

## THE SECOND PILLAR 

of MTI’s strategy for growth is new product innovation that differentiates the company from competitors by providing customers with new, higher-value products. Over the last seven years, we have revitalized our new product pipeline and have successfully commercialized several new products. 

As this chart indicates, MTI’s new product development is tracking well. In 2007, the new product pipeline was nearly dry, with just 11 ideas. Today, with suggestions from employees and customers, MTI has commercially launched 44 new products and has more than 65 in development 

throughout all three business units— Paper PCC, Refractories and Performance Minerals. The company tracks new ideas through a five-phase, stage gate process. In the first three stages, our scientists and business professionals analyze the technical and financial potential of each idea. 

As ideas pass through the stage gates, they are reviewed more stringently for technical feasibility and potential economic benefit to the company. 

<img src='content_image/191029.jpg'>

