Degussa's Active Oxygens Mobile Facility Receives RC 14001 Certification   

Commitments To Environmental, Safety, Health & Security Excellence Cited  

MOBILE, Ala., May 17, 2007 – Degussa Corporation’s Active Oxygens’ facility in Mobile, Ala., has received the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) RC14001 certification signifying the company’s continuing efforts to improve its environmental, safety, health and security performance.  

DQS USA, a leading independent global auditing firm based in Rolling Meadows, Ill., recommended the certification following an exhaustive review of Degussa’s Active Oxygens site operations.  

Dr. Sied Sadek, president of DQS USA Inc., praised Degussa’s Active Oxygens Business Line, noting the company’s strong commitment to Responsible Care resulted in the successful certification.  

The ACC’s Responsible Care (RC) 14001 is a pioneering environmental, safety, health and security (ESH&S) standard that integrates the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care elements with the environmental management system established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001).  

Carlos Gil Mast, Vice President and General Manager Americas, Active Oxygens, said that Degussa is strongly committed to Responsible Care.  

“The ACC’s Responsible Care program is ingrained in our day-to-day operations. We place a strong emphasis on the safety of our processes and minimization of their effects on the surrounding environment,” said Gil Mast. “Our objective is not only to comply with the regulations, but to surpass them whenever possible. We seek continuous improvements in our facilities and our processes.”  

Helio Takahashi, vice president of production technology and engineering for Active Oxygens, said Degussa Active Oxygens worked hard to achieve this prestigious distinction, adding that Degussa’s Active Oxygens North American Business Line, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., received the American Chemistry Council RC14001 certification last year. “We are dedicated to providing high quality, efficient services for all of our clients and strive to make positive contributions to our community and to the environment,” he continued.  

A global chemical industry performance initiative that promotes continual improvement and enhances environmental, safety, health and security programs which are already in place at participating companies, Responsible Care provides the guidance to ACC member companies for establishing ESH&S management systems that take performance beyond regulatory requirements. 

Other Degussa sites in North America that have already achieved RC 14001 certification include: Parsippany, N.J.; Hopewell, Va.; Mapleton, Ill.; and Janesville, Wis.; as well as facilities in Greensboro, N.C.; Garyville, La.; Horsham, Pa.; Deer Park, Texas, Sarasota, Fla.; and Degussa Mobile Site Services in Mobile, Ala.

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.