Cognis Expands Production of Azelaic Acid

    CINCINNATI--Oct. 3, 2001--Cognis Corporation's Performance Monomer Technology (PMT) division announced expansion at its Cincinnati, Ohio manufacturing plant for the production of azelaic acid.
    The need for increased azelaic acid capacity is due to growth in existing and new market segments such as: packaging (paper, film & foil laminates), automotive (coatings, upholstered car seats, construction of sun visors), textiles (footwear, interlining for labels and emblems) and electronics (flexible printed circuit board, coil insulation). Azelaic acids have superior solubility in solvents and water than other commercially available even-chain carbon (C4 - C12) dicarboxylic acids, which is a highly desired property in the formulation of high solids or solvent free systems. "Working closely with our customers, we have discovered many new and beneficial uses for azelaic acid," said Jeff Gates, Global Business Director of Cognis Performance Monomer Technology. "We are excited about the growth in azelaic acid and look forward to increasing the supply of azelaic acid for our customers."
    Cognis is the largest commercial producer of azelaic acid. Azelaic acid (CAS No. 123-99-9) is produced commercially by the ozone oxidation of oleic acid.
    Cognis Performance Monomer Technology uses three major technology platforms in its manufacturing processes: ozone oxidation, dimerization and a new bio-technology process to produce azelaic, pelargonic, dimer, isostearic, trimer acids and new long chain diacids. Detailed information about Cognis Performance Monomer Technology can be found at www.cognis.com.
    Cognis is the name under which the chemical activities of the Henkel Group were set up as a separate legal entity. In 2000, Cognis recorded sales of 3.2 billion euro and an operating profit of 220 million euro. Compared to the previous year, this represents a rise of 11.6% in sales and 23% in operating profit. In the first half-year of 2001, sales came to 1,619 million euro, and operating profit to 118 million euro. Oleochemicals, Care Chemicals, and Organic Specialties are the three pillars of the specialty chemicals portfolio. Some of the company's key target markets include the detergents and household cleaners, the cosmetics and personal care industry, and many diverse markets, including: adhesives, agriculture, coatings and inks, health and nutrition, mining, plastics, synthetic lubricants, and textiles. Detailed information about Cognis can be found at www.cognis.com

    Note to Editors: In the phrase "(C4 - C12)" mentioned in the second paragraph above, the "4" and "12" should be subscript.