European Responsible Care Award for Evonik

Source: Cefic | European Chemical Industry Council

Krefeld, September 30, 2011

• Cefic honors Evonik with Responsible Care Award
• STOCKOSORB® superabsorbent can aid the reforestation of argan trees in Morocco
• Klaus Engel, Chairman of Evonik’s Executive Board: "Innovative ideas are vital for sustainability"

The use of STOCKOSORB® in the reforestation of argan trees in Morocco shows that superabsorbents can help overcome arid conditions. For this idea, the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) has honored Evonik with its Responsible Care Award (large companies category). At the awards ceremony in Madrid (Spain) Klaus Engel, Chairman of Evonik's Executive Board, said: "This award shows that innovative ideas are vital for sustainability. Responsible Care is a clear commitment that we apply conscientiously. However, we can only address future challenges such as climate change and the shortage of resources if we are creative and come up with unusual ideas.”

The award was presented to Annette zur Mühlen of Evonik, who specializes in innovative solutions for agriculture, and Marie-Rose Chalhoub, who is responsible for sales of this product, at the Global Chemical Industry European Convention in Madrid (Spain) at the end of September. Together with the Institut Agronomique et Veterinaire Hassan II in Agadir (Morocco) and local partners, Evonik investigated how STOCKOSORB® can improve the survival of argan seedlings.

The argan is a multipurpose tree used by the local population in south-west Morocco as a source of timber, fodder and oil. It grows in extremely arid conditions but the area covered by these trees is regressing rapidly. Trials have shown that STOCKOSORB® superarbsorbent polymers increase the survival rates of saplings. STOCKOSORB® absorbs many times its own weight of water and releases it gradually to the plants as required. Depending on the environmental conditions used in the trial, survival rates increased by between 45 and 150 percent compared to the control. Preparations for further trials are currently under way in Morocco.

The Responsible Care Award is presented by the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) for projects that foster cooperation, address energy efficiency and climate change, encourage health, safety and environmental excellence and demonstrate the business value of Responsible Care. The Responsible Care initiative, which is supported by Evonik, is the chemical industry’s commitment to the principles of sustainable development.

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, 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 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.