Degussa Stockhausen Receives Prestigious State Environmental Award  

Company Recognized As ‘Rising Environmental Steward’ By North Carolina 

GREENSBORO, N. C., April 27, 2007 – Degussa’s Stockhausen subsidiary in Greensboro has been named a “Rising Environmental Steward” by the State of North Carolina -- becoming only the 13th manufacturing site honored by this voluntary program.  

Secretary Bill Ross of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), praised Stockhausen’s environmental efforts, noting that the recognition is part of DENR’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative, a voluntary program designed to promote and encourage superior environmental performance by North Carolina’s regulated community.  

“It’s important to recognize companies that integrate the environment into their day-to-day business practices,” said Ross. “These forward-thinking organizations set an example for other organizations by setting aggressive environmental performance goals, realizing that in return these practices save money, material and resources.”   

Peter Gursky, vice president of operations in Greensboro, said Degussa is committed to superior environmental performance. He noted that the Rising Environmental Steward program seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources and resulting in long-term economic benefits.

“As good corporate citizen of the Greensboro area, where we work, live and raise our families, Degussa is thoroughly committed to not only meeting environmental requirements but exceeding them,” said Gursky. “This award is the result of the hard work of our dedicated employees, who day in and day out, strive to do the right thing for the environment and Degussa.”  

Bernard Harvey, Degussa Managing Director of the Greensboro site, added that the voluntary program provides benefits to stimulate the development and implementation of programs that use pollution prevention and innovative approaches to meet and go beyond regulatory requirements.

“The Rising Environmental Steward initiative seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources and resulting in long-term economic benefits,” said Harvey. “Degussa Stockhausen and all of our employees deeply care about protecting the environment for future generations.”  

The presentation of the award was made at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the Triad Research Triangle.  Accepting the recognition for the company were Pete Gursky, Ernie Perez, ESHQ Director, Superabsorber NAFTA and Alice Rimmer, Environmental Supervisor.   

Degussa’s 56-acre Stockhausen facility has four manufacturing units and two Ashland manufacturing facilities with a total capital investment of about $230 million, employs 340 workers, and has an annual economic impact in the community of more than $57 million. The facility produces superabsorbers, which are used in the manufacture of disposable diapers, STOKO® industrial skin care products, and other items.  

Degussa: Creating Essentials™
Degussa -- a wholly owned subsidiary of the RAG Group -- is the global market leader in specialty chemicals. Our business is creating essentials: innovative products and system solutions that make indispensable contributions to our customers’ success. In fiscal 2005, our 44,000 employees worldwide generated sales of $13.9 billion and operating profits (EBIT) of $1.1 billion.