• 01.02.2008, 07:54:43
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  • OTE0001

WACKER finalizes Acquisition of Polymer Joint Ventures

- Antitrust authorities clear takerover of APP and WPS joint ventures - Full integration into WACKER Group expected by year-end

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ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for
the content of this announcement.
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Munich (euro adhoc) - February 1st, 2008 - Wacker Chemie AG has successfully
concluded its acquisition of full ownership of Air Products Polymers (APP) and
Wacker Polymer Systems (WPS), its two joint ventures with Air Products and
Chemicals, Inc. The transaction announced in December 2007 has now been cleared
by the European and U.S. antitrust authorities. WACKER´s stake in APP had been
35 percent, with Air Products holding the remaining 65 percent. As for WPS,
WACKER held 80 percent and Air Products, 20 percent. WACKER expects APP and WPS
to be fully integrated into the Group structures by year-end.

As already reported on December 11, 2007, WACKER is to take over vinyl
acetate/ethylene operations from APP and WPS. Consequently, WACKER will take
full ownership of the two companies´ activities in Allentown (PA, USA), Calvert
City (KY, USA), Cologne and Burghausen (Germany), South Brunswick (NJ, USA) and
Ulsan (South Korea). WACKER plans to coordinate this business out of the Lehigh
Valley (PA, USA). In return, Air Products is to receive the production
facilities at Elkton (MD, USA) and Piedmont (SC, USA), as well as related
business and a payment of $265 million. WACKER estimates that the acquisition
will help boost the Group´s 2008 polymer business to about EUR1 billion.

As the world's leading supplier of dispersible polymer powders for construction
applications, WACKER expects the acquisition to benefit its global polymers
business on several strategic fronts. Advantages include backward integration at
U.S. and Asian dispersion plants, as well as the expansion of its supply chain
outside the eurozone. In addition, WACKER strengthens its portfolio in
application areas such as adhesives and coatings.

APP and WPS in Brief
Air Products Polymers (APP) produces polymer dispersions at sites in Germany,
South Korea and the USA. It sells its products under the Airflex®, Vinac®,
Flexbond® and Flexcryl® trademarks to industries ranging from adhesives,
nonwovens, paints and coatings, to building products, paper, carpet and
textiles. Wacker Polymer Systems (WPS) is responsible for VINNAPAS® dispersible
polymer powders, VINNAPAS® solid resins, PIOLOFORM® B, VINNOL® surface-coating
resins, VINNEX® binder systems and VINNAPAS® dispersions for construction
applications. WPS maintains production facilities in Germany, China and the USA.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and
estimates of WACKER´s Executive Board. Although we assume the expectations in
these forward-looking statements are realistic, we cannot guarantee they will
prove to be correct. The assumptions may harbor risks and uncertainties that may
cause the actual figures to differ considerably from the forward-looking
statements. Factors that may cause such discrepancies include, among other
things, changes in the economic and business environment, variations in exchange
and interest rates, the introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance
for new products or services, and changes in corporate strategy. WACKER does not
plan to update the forward-looking statements, nor does it assume the obligation
to do so.

Further inquiry note:
Christof Bachmair
Media Relations & Information
Tel. +49 89 6279-1830
E-Mail:christof.bachmair@wacker.com

end of announcement euro adhoc
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emitter: Wacker Chemie AG
Hanns-Seidel-Platz 4
D-81737 München
phone: +49 (0) 89 6279 01
FAX: +49 (0) 89 6279 1770
mail: info@wacker.com
WWW: http://www.wacker.com
sector: Chemicals
ISIN: DE000WCH8881
indexes: Midcap Market Index, MDAX, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime
All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Börse Frankfurt
language: English

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