Evonik’s Hydrogen Peroxide Plant In Mobile Sets New Safety Record
Achievement Reflects Company’s Commitment To Safe Workplace

MOBILE, Ala., November 10, 2009 – Employees at Evonik Industries’ hydrogen peroxide plant in Mobile, Alabama, have worked more than three years without a Lost Time Accident (LTA) – a work related personal injury resulting in at least one day off from the job.

“It is extremely satisfying for us to know that, over the past 1,100 days, no employee has left work suffering from the effects of a workplace injury,” said Thomas Rieche, Head of Evonik's Active Oxygens Business Line. “Our workers in Mobile daily demonstrate that injury-free performance is not merely a goal but a reality if everyone works together to eliminate workplace accidents.”

Carlos Gil Mast, Vice President, Corporate Development Americas, who recently toured the site with Rieche and Ingo Hamann, Vice President Production and Engineering, Active Oxygens, emphasizes that Evonik focuses a tremendous amount of attention on safety. “Safety is a way of life at Evonik,” said Gil Mast. “It is well ingrained in our corporate culture. Our employees realize that safe work practices benefit them personally as well as the company. Our philosophy is that nothing is so important that it can’t be done safely.”

Mobile hydrogen peroxide Plant Superintendent Mike Barreca said the safety milestone was accomplished thanks to each employee’s personal commitment. “It was a dedicated team effort,” said Barreca. “Safety is the foundation on which we have built our business. But it’s not about the numbers. It is about the safety of our employees. That’s what really counts.”

The plant’s emphasis on safety is part of an overall company commitment to quality performance in all areas. Employees receive extensive safety and environmental training, participate on safety teams and are encouraged to report conditions they believe could pose potential safety or environmental hazards. These efforts have resulted in the plant achieving this enviable safety record.

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