Nabaltec AG planning significant expansion of production capacity in the USA

Schwandorf, 16 December 2014 - In response to the constantly growing demand for fine precipitated hydroxides mainly in the US market, Nabaltec AG plans to expand the production capacity of its Nashtec joint venture in Corpus Christi (Texas/USA) by approximately 40%. Appropriate agreements have already been reached with Nabaltec's joint venture partner, Sherwin Alumina Company, LLC. The annual production capacity for fine precipitated aluminum hydroxide, the company's top-selling product, is to be expanded to over 30,000 tons. Construction of the new facilities is scheduled to start in 2015 and should be completed by early 2016. Thanks to steadily increasing demand in the USA and the US dollar zone, Nashtec has been operating close to full capacity. The planned expansion measures will be implemented without affecting ongoing operations.

Johannes Heckmann, Member of the Board of Nabaltec AG: "Nashtec has been a success story for Nabaltec ever since the start of production in 2006. Today, we are the only company in the world to produce fine precipitated aluminum hydroxides both in the USA and in Europe - and we do so to the same high standards of quality at both production sites. Nashtec remains a very important component of our global strategy."

The Nashtec joint venture was founded by Nabaltec and Sherwin Alumina in 2004. Sherwin Alumina Company, LLC is a subsidiary of GlencoreXstrata plc. The production of fine precipitated aluminum hydroxide began in November 2006. The production facilities in Corpus Christi (Texas/USA) are located adjacent to the Sherwin Alumina plant which supplies primary materials and energy to Nashtec and enables the company to benefit from the existing infrastructure.

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 halogen-free flame retardant fillers and eco-friendly additives for the plastics industry. Flame retardant fillers are used e.g. in cables in tunnels, airports, high-rise buildings and electronic devices, while additives replace stabilizers containing heavy metals in PVC processing. Nabaltecalso produces 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 the market leadership in each segment.

Contact:
Heidi Wiendl
Nabaltec AG
Phone: +49 9431 53-202
Fax: +49 9431 53-260
E-mail: InvestorRelations@nabaltec.de  

Frank Ostermair
Better Orange IR & HV AG
Phone: +49 89 8896906-14
Fax: +49 89 8896906-66
E-mail: frank.ostermair@better-orange.de