Evonik’s Hydrogen Peroxide Plant Sets 3 Billion Pound Record
Safety, Plant Improvements, New Products Cited for Production Milestone

MOBILE, Ala., November 20, 2009 – Evonik’s hydrogen peroxide operations in Mobile, Alabama, have reached a company milestone: The site has produced more than 3 billion pounds of hydrogen peroxide over the past 22 years.

That’s the equivalent of 21,000 railcars of hydrogen peroxide. If lined railcar-to-railcar on a track, the line would stretch 258 miles – more than the distance between New York City and Washington, D.C.
 
“This is a remarkable accomplishment by our employees in Mobile,” said Thomas Rieche, Head of Evonik's Active Oxygens Business Line. “It is a true testament to the collaborative efforts of each and every Evonik employee in Mobile. This production record is powerful proof of our commitment to excellence in quality, productivity and health, environment and safety.”

Producing 3 billion pounds of hydrogen peroxide over the past two decades is an outstanding achievement, said Jack Chenault, Active Oxygens Vice President and General Manager – North America. “I am proud of what our employees in Mobile have accomplished,” said Chenault. “Congratulations – and thank you – to this special group of dedicated employees who make a difference every day by working smarter and working safer.” 

Mike Barreca, Mobile hydrogen peroxide Plant Superintendant, noted that with an annual capacity of 90,000 metric tons, the Mobile hydrogen peroxide plant has supplied the North American hydrogen peroxide market without fail for the past 22 years. He added that improvements over the years at the site have included a second production unit – which started in 1992. The new unit doubled the capacity of the Mobile operations and enabled production of various grades of hydrogen peroxide to supply new markets.

“The hydrogen peroxide team in Mobile is truly exceptional,” said Barreca. “All our employees continually pull together to produce the best possible product for our customers in the safest and most economical way. They are to be commended.”

With an annual capacity approaching 600,000 metric tons, Evonik's Industrial Chemicals Business Unit is the world's second-largest producer of the eco-friendly bleaching and oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide. This is used mainly in paper and pulp bleaching, and some producers have recently begun using it in the synthesis of propylene oxide. Evonik produces hydrogen peroxide in Germany, Belgium, Austria, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Korea, Indonesia, New Zealand, and South Africa. 

For additional information about Evonik Industries in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america
 
Company information
Evonik Industries is the creative industrial group from Germany which operates in three business areas: Chemicals, Energy and Real Estate. Evonik is a global leader in specialty chemicals, an expert in power generation from hard coal and renewable energies, and one of the largest private residential real estate companies in Germany. Our strengths are creativity, specialization, continuous self-renewal, and reliability. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In its fiscal year 2008 about 41,000 employees generated sales of about Euro 15.9 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA) of more than Euro 2.2 billion.
Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume any obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.

For more information, contact:
Mike Sheridan
Evonik Degussa Corporation
Tel: 973-541-8812
Cell: 973-349-2000	
E-mail: mike.sheridan@evonik.com