Frost & Sullivan Presents Global High Performance Fillers Growth Strategy Leadership Award to Nabaltec AG

LONDON -

The Frost & Sullivan ‘2009 Global High Performance Fillers Growth Strategy Leadership Award,’ is presented to Nabaltec AG (Nabaltec) for its development of a corporate growth-oriented strategy. This has resulted in steady double digit revenue growth since 2005, largely driven by the strong performance of the functional fillers division over this period.

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“Integrating a philosophy of innovation with customer focused research and global presence provides a strong foundation on which to build and expand, as demonstrated by the company’s sustained double digit growth,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Dr. Nicola Rudd. “Innovative and timely expansion of Nabaltec’s product line according to customer needs sets the company apart from its competitors even as its growth-oriented strategy establishes the standard for other participants in the high performance fillers market.”

Nabaltec’s growth strategy has had a significant impact on its position in the flame retardant fillers market, enabling it to augment its global market share from a negligible level to almost 30 per cent in 2008. The company is now positioned to vie for market leadership.

The cornerstone of Nabaltec’s strategy is its focus on innovation. The number of new products released over the last five years cannot be matched by its competitors as Nabaltec have extended and improved their APYRAL(R) and APYMAG(R) product lines. Nabaltec’s sub-micron ATH products (APYRAL(R) 200 SM and APYMAG(R) AOH, launched in 2007) provide additional technical performance that cannot be achieved using standard ground or precipitated grades of ATH.

Nabaltec’s new product line - ACTILOX(R) CAHC (calcium aluminium hydroxy carbonate), produced via a patented chemical synthesis - is expected to be commercially available from the fourth quarter of 2009. It is intended as an environmental friendly co-stabiliser in heavy metal-free One Packs, the alternative to heavy metal containing stabilisers, which are being phased out due to environmental standards and legislation.

Nabaltec’s strategy also focuses on customer oriented R&D. The company works in close collaboration with customers to continuously enhance products and processes, while tailoring its research to match customer needs.

“Direct contact between Nabaltec and the customer ensures that as customers’ plans develop and change, Nabaltec can continue to provide them with innovative solutions and products to encourage continued collaboration,” remarks Dr. Rudd. “For instance, the expansion of the APYRAL(R) range was developed through co-operation with key customers.”

In addition to the original production facility in Germany, Nabaltec established Nashtec L.P. in Texas, USA (a joint venture with Sherwin Alumina Company, a subsidiary of Glencore International AG). The facility, which began ATH production in 2006, has increased Nabaltec’s ATH production capacity by 25,000 tonnes, while simultaneously allowing the company to expand its global reach.

In the meantime, as safety standards (like RoHS and IEC 62368) that are driving the mineral flame retardants market increasingly spread to emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Nabaltec has developed a global distribution network to supply these markets. The company’s revenue from foreign countries reached 65.0 per cent in 2008.

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Growth Strategy Leadership is presented to the company that has demonstrated an exceptional long-term growth strategy within its industry.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About Nabaltec AG

Nabaltec AG, with registered office in Schwandorf, a chemicals business which has received multiple awards for innovativeness, manufactures, develops and distributes highly specialized products based on aluminum hydroxide (”ATH”) and aluminum oxide, as well as other raw materials, on an industrial scale through its “functional fillers” and “technical ceramics” divisions. The company’s product range includes flame-retardant fillers for the plastics industry, used e.g. in cables in tunnels, airports, high-rise buildings and electronic devices, as well as base materials for use in technical ceramics, the refractory industry and catalysis. Unlike halogenated flame-retardant fillers, the products manufactured by the company’s “functional fillers” division contain no hazardous substances and do not require separate disposal. Rather, the company’s flame-retardant fillers actually decrease the development of fumes hazardous to human health and the environment in the event of fire. Nabaltec maintains production sites in Germany and the US and plans to continue to consolidate its market position by expanding capacity, further optimizing processes and quality and making strategic extensions to its product range. On the strength of its specialty products, the company strives to attain not just the quality leadership, but also the market leadership in each segment.

Nabaltec AG Contact Information Heidi Wiendl Frank Ostermair Nabaltec AG Better Orange IR & HV AG Phone: +49-9431-53-202 Phone: +49-89-8896906-14 Fax: +49-9431-53-260 Fax: +49-89-8896906-66 E-mail: InvestorRelations@nabaltec.de E-mail: frank.ostermair@better-orange.de

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best in class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company’s Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO’s Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 35 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit www.frost.com.

Frost & Sullivan Contact Information Jasmine Malone - Promotions Coordinator Phone: +44-207-915-7869 E-mail:jasmine.malone@frost.com

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Heidi Wiendl of Nabaltec AG, +49-9431-53-202, fax, +49-9431-53-260, InvestorRelations at nabaltec.de; or Frank Ostermair of Better Orange IR & HV AG, +49-89-8896906-14, fax, +49-89-8896906-66, frank.ostermair at better-orange.de, for Nabaltec AG; or Jasmine Malone - Promotions Coordinator of Frost & Sullivan, +44-207-915-7869, jasmine.malone at frost.com. Logo: https://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO