Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Cognis and Golden Hope announce intention to expand oleochemicals joint…

Corporate-news processed and transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— CORPORATE NEWS RELEASE Kuala Lumpur / Monheim, July 13, 2005 Cognis and Golden Hope announce intention to expand oleochemicals joint venture Cognis Holding GmbH, Cognis GmbH and Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG (“Cognis”) are pleased to announce that Cognis and Golden Hope Plantations Berhad, Malaysia (“Golden Hope”) intend to expand the scope of their existing joint venture through the contribution of Cognis’ global oleochemicals and plastics technology businesses. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed today. The memorandum of understanding proposes that Cognis contributes its oleo basics and derivatives businesses, specifically fatty acids, glycerin, oilfield chemicals, azelaic acid and pelargonic acid (“ozone acids”), as well as its plastics technology business to Cognis Oleochemicals (M) Sdn. Bhd (“COM”), the existing 50:50 Malaysian joint venture between Cognis and Golden Hope, around the end of 2005. After this expansion, COM will rank as one of the leading global oleochemical companies with total revenues of more than USD $850 million (pro forma 2004, including sales to Cognis). In preparation for the expansion of the joint venture, Cognis has initiated a carve-out of the businesses to be contributed. This process affects around 700 employees mostly in Germany, the USA and Canada. Together with staff of the existing Malaysian joint venture, the new organization will have around 1,100 employees. COM is currently fully consolidated in Cognis’ financial statements; this expected to remain the case after the proposed transaction. Contact Roland Haage, Director Financial Controlling & Investor Relations Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Phone: +49-2173-4995-276 E-mail: investor-relations@cognis.com Internet: http://www.cognis.com End of announcement (c)DGAP 13.07.2005 —————————————————————————— WKN: A0BNCJ; ISIN: XS0191507556; Index: Listed: Freiverkehr in Frankfurt 130900 Jul 05