Evonik’s Tom Bates Elected To American Chemistry Council Board of Directors
Board Continues Mission To Strengthen American Chemistry Industry

PARSIPPANY, N.J., February 26, 2009 – The American Chemistry Council (ACC), which represents the companies that make the products that make modern life possible, yesterday elected Evonik Degussa Corporation president Thomas Bates to its Board of Directors.

ACC President and Chief Executive Officer Cal Dooley noted that chemistry is an enabler of modern life in all capacities, from advanced medical technologies to clean drinking water.  “The ACC looks forward to working with Tom and the rest of the Board to continue ACC’s mission of strengthening the chemistry industry and ensuring we continue our critical role in advocacy,” he said.

Bates, who was named president of Evonik Degussa last year, noted that the $664 billion chemical industry supported 4% of the U.S. workforce – 863,000 employees – plus 4.8 million indirect jobs. “I am both thrilled and honored to be elected to the American Chemistry Council Board of Directors,” he said.  “I look forward to continuing the ACC’s work with Congress, the Obama Administration, and state and local officials to make sure our voice is heard on the important contributions of the business of chemistry.”

Evonik Degussa Corporation has about 4,000 employees in 57 locations throughout North America.  The company has 33 manufacturing sites – 28 in the US and five in Canada and 24 offices/labs/warehouses/distribution centers. 

Under Bates’ leadership, Evonik Degussa Corporation’s operations in Mobile have expanded.  Last year, the company inaugurated a multimillion dollar ROHACELL rigid polymethacrylimide foam production facility. A 60,000 metric ton alkoxide production plant is currently under construction at the site.

Bates joined Evonik in 1988 as Director of Manufacturing of the company's Silicas and Chemical Catalysts Division in North America. Three years later, he was named Director of Global Production, Functional Silanes for the Aerosil & Silanes business unit in Rheinfelden, Germany. In 2002, Bates was appointed Vice President and Site Manager of Evonik’s Mobile facility.

Bates serves on numerous boards in Alabama, including the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, The Forum, Chemical Council of Manufacture Alabama and the Engineering College of University of South Alabama, the Gulf Coast Exploreum, and the WHIL Executive Committee. 

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 2007 about 43,000 employees generated sales of about Euro 14.4 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 an 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	
E-mail: mike.sheridan@evonik.com