07/04/2008 - Süd-Chemie takes over AlzChem’s metallurgical foundry chemicals production in Hart

Süd-Chemie AG, Munich, a leading global manufacturer of catalysts and adsorbents, has reached agreement with AlzChem Hart GmbH, Trostberg, a member of Evonik Industries AG, on the purchase of the foundry chemical production facilities at the AlzChem site in Hart, Upper Bavaria. It was agreed that the purchase price would not be disclosed. The acquisition is still subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities.

The acquisition includes the production of metallurgical specialty chemicals for the foundry industry, mainly for iron castings used in the automobile sector. The approximately 140 employees are to be integrated into SKW Giesserei GmbH, Hart, a wholly-owned Süd-Chemie subsidiary with currently 20 employees engaged in the marketing of metallurgical foundry chemicals. The total number of jobs provided in Hart will therefore remain unchanged. Süd-Chemie previously took over SKW Giesserei GmbH from Evonik‘s predecessor company, Degussa AG, in 2004.

Dr. Günter von Au, Managing Board Chairman of Süd-Chemie AG, said: "Following our successful takeover of the marketing operations four years ago and their subsequent expansion, we are delighted to now also be taking over the foundry chemicals production in Hart, allowing us to offer our foundry know-how in the metallurgy sector from a single source. The acquisition will enable us to optimise these specialised products to meet individual customer demands and in this way strengthen our leading position as a full-service provider of specialty products for the foundry industry in Europe."

Munich, 4 July 2008

Enquiries to:

Süd-Chemie AG
Corporate Communications
Patrick Salchow, Jochen Orlowski
Ph. +49 (0) 89 5110-250/-247

About Süd-Chemie

Süd-Chemie AG (www.sud-chemie.com) is a publicly quoted (Security Identification Number ISIN: DE0007292005; WKN: 729200) specialty chemicals company headquartered in Munich, Germany and operating on a worldwide scale. Key markets served by its Adsorbents Division include the consumer-goods, packaging and foundry industries, as well as the paper and plastics industries and water treatment. Products manufactured by the Catalysts Division offer solutions for the chemical, petrochemical and refinery industries, for energy storage and hydrogen production, as well as off-gas purification. The common denominator of all its products and innovations is the efficient and sparing use of natural resources to enhance the quality of life for humans and the environment. Süd-Chemie generated sales of €1.075 billion in 2007, approx. 80% of these outside Germany. At the end of 2007, the group employed more than 5,000 people at 75 sales and production sites worldwide.