Evonik’s Jayhawk Chemicals Plant Reports Impressive Safety Milestone

Galena, Kansas Facility Reports 3 Years Without Lost Time Accident

GALENA, Kansas, November 1, 2007 – Thanks to unceasing efforts by employees and managers, Jayhawk Fine Chemicals has achieved an impressive safety achievement:  operating more than 1,100 days without a Lost Time Accident (LTA).  

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment – working more than three years without a Lost Time Accident,” said Site Manager Clive Whiteside, explaining that a LTA is a work related personal injury resulting in at least one day off from the job. “We stress daily that safety is everyone’s business. We are very proud of our workforce and achieving this significant safety record.”  

Whiteside noted that continuing management and worker commitment to safety was critical in achieving the safety milestone, adding that safety remains the company’s No. 1 priority. “The important thing is not setting safety records but making sure our employees go home safely each day,” said Whiteside. “Management and employees constantly strive to maintain safety at the site.”  

Whiteside added that the site will receive the Evonik Degussa Corporation’s Bronze Safety Award for operating three years without a LTA. “The ongoing challenge will be to continue to strive for the Evonik Degussa Silver Award, which is bestowed after seven years without a lost time accident,” said Whiteside.

Greg Sitton, Jayhawk Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) director, noted that the site has implemented audits, inspections, continued training, regular safety meetings and incentive programs to keep safety at the forefront of every employee.  

“We have achieved this safety milestone despite continuing restructuring and ongoing projects,” Sitton added. “All Jayhawk employees should be commended for their continuing commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy workplace.”  

Evonik Degussa Corporation’s Jayhawk Fine Chemicals Site employs nearly 100 and has four operations buildings including two warehouses, two laboratories and two pilot plants.  The facility makes a number of specialty products including intermediates for specialty polymers, industrial and agricultural products as well as active ingredients used in animal health and agricultural products.  

Company information

Evonik Industries AG is the creative industrial group which operates in three highly profitable, promising 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 Industries is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2006 around 43,000 employees generated sales of €14.8 billion and operating profit (EBIT) of over €1.2 billion. Evonik plans to enter the capital market in the first half of 2008.  

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release and where our forward-looking statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations and statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Evonik Industries AG assumes no obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release..  

For more information, contact:
Mike Sheridan
Evonik Degussa Corporatin
Tel:  973-541-8812
E-mail:  mike.sheridan@degussa.com