Press release
North America
August 17, 2011

Evonik’s STOKO® Skin Care Products Earn Prestigious USDA Labeling Approval

STOKO Continues Environmentally-Responsible Efforts With Products

STOKO® Skin Care, a leader in the away-from-home skin care/hand hygiene market, today announced that several products have earned biobased certification through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and may use the Department’s certified biobased label.

A total of eight products under the STOKO brand are now identified as consisting in large part of renewable resources as per the certification. These products now are qualified for Federal purchase preference under the biobased certification. SOLOPOL®, KRESTO® SELECT, STOKO® GEL, ESTESOL®, STOKO® REFRESH 4 in 1 MOISTURIZING FOAM, STOKO® REFRESH 4 in 1 SENSITIVE SKIN FOAM, STOKO® REFRESH 4 in 1 SANITIZING FOAM have all been certified as USDA certified biobased products. Under the CLINISHIELD® brand, GENTLE SKIN CLEANSER has also been certified as a biobased product.

“Being awarded USDA biobased certification for these products and being able to utilize their biobased labeling are strong indicators that STOKO continues to implement environmentally-responsible efforts with our products,” said Ron Shuster, STOKO Product Line Director. “From pioneering the use of environmentally-friendly components such as castor oil in many of our heavy duty products to converting to eco-friendly walnut shell scrubber in the 1990s, our research and development department continues to include natural ingredients to make our skin hygiene products better for the environment, while at the same time improving skin compatibility. In keeping with that pioneering legacy, STOKO was an early adopter of the USDA’s biobased program.”

Biobased products are made from renewable agricultural materials and are quickly replacing petroleum based products. The United States Department of Agriculture defines biobased as commercial or industrial products (other than food or feed) that are composed in whole or in significant part, of biological products, renewable agricultural materials, or forestry materials. Qualifying biobased products become eligible for procurement preference by the US Government and must be reasonably available, meet performance standards and are reasonably priced.

For additional information about Evonik in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america.

About USDA biobased products and BioPreferredSM gr

The United States Department of Agriculture manages section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Biobased Products and BioPreferred Green Purchasing. To learn more about the USDA BioPreferred program please visit www.biopreferred.gov

About STOKO® Skin Care

STOKO® Skin Care is a product line of Evonik. STOKO’s North American Business is headquartered in Greensboro, N.C. and is a leading provider of skin care/hygiene products and programs for the away-from-home market. With research and development facilities in Krefeld, Germany, and manufacturing and distribution locations around the world, STOKO® Skin Care leverages a vast international network to develop the most technologically advanced products. www.stokoskincare.com

Company information

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders
in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health and nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. In 2010 about 80 percent of the Group’s chemicals sales came from activities where it ranks among the market leaders. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2010 more than 34,000 employees generated sales of around €13.3 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA) of about €2.4 billion.

Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press