01/16/2006 - Süd-Chemie strengthens pharmaceutical packaging business

Süd-Chemie AG, Munich, is to expand its position in the European pharmaceutical packaging market significantly through Süd-Chemie Schweiz SA, a joint venture with the Swiss company Plaspaq SA, Broc. It is envisaged that Plaspaq, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PQH Holding SA, Fribourg, Switzerland, will transfer its pharmaceutical packaging division to Süd-Chemie Schweiz following formation of this new company, and Süd-Chemie will subsequently take over a 51% stake. The transaction is still subject to approval by the antitrust authorities and the closing.

The joint venture completes Süd-Chemie’s existing good position in packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry in England and France. Plaspaq, a specialist in the development and manufacture of pharmaceutical packaging, has long experience and a major market position in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Using the existing customer and production base, sales will be increased swiftly in the German-speaking market, one that is very important to the pharmaceutical industry.

“The formation of Süd-Chemie Schweiz is a key step for Süd-Chemie on its way to becoming a leading provider of packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical industry. Thanks to its worldwide presence in this segment, Süd-Chemie is the ideal partner for global pharmaceutical companies," says Dr. Günter von Au, Chairman of the Süd-Chemie AG Managing Board.

Munich, 16 January 2006

Contacts:
Patrick Salchow
Head of Corporate Public Relations
Süd-Chemie AG
Phone: +49 (0)89 5110-250
Fax: +49 (0)89 5110-302

Süd-Chemie is an independent specialty chemical company headquartered in Munich and operating on a worldwide scale. Key markets served by its Adsorbents Division include the consumer-goods, packaging and foundry industries, as well as the paper and plastics industries. Products manufactured by the Catalysts Division offer solutions for water treatment, petrochemicals processing, energy storage and hydrogen production, as well as off-gas purification. The common denominator for all its products and innovations is the efficient and sparing use of natural resources to enhance the quality of life for humans and the environment. Sales of €862 million were generated in 2004, 80% of these outside Germany. Süd-Chemie employs more than 5,100 people at its 62 sales and production sites around the world.