Lanxess increases prices for pigments worldwide

LEVERKUSEN, Germany, May 26, 2008 (Press Release) - Specialty chemicals company Lanxess AG is to increase its prices for iron oxide and chrome oxide pigments worldwide with immediate effect. The prices for the Bayferrox and Colortherm lines will be increased by up to Euro 150 per metric ton, and for chrome oxide pigments by up to Euro 750 per metric ton. These price rises have been made necessary by drastic increases in raw material, energy and logistics costs.

Lanxess Inorganic Pigments business unit produces approx. 300,000 tons per year of iron oxide and chrome oxide pigments at its facilities in the US, Brazil, Asia, Australia and Europe. The products are distinguished by their high quality and simple, standards-compliant and environmentally compatible processing. The most important customers are the construction industry, followed by the paints and coatings sector and the plastics and paper industries. The Lanxess subsidiaries ensure customer proximity, service and presence throughout the world.

The Inorganic Pigments business unit belongs to the Chemical Intermediates segment of Lanxess, which achieved total sales in 2007 of Euro 1.97 billion.

Lanxess is a leader in specialty chemicals with sales in 2007 of Euro 6.61 billion and currently around 15,200 employees in 21 countries. The company is represented at 44 production sites worldwide. The core business of Lanxess is the development, manufacture and sale of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.