Felcht gains honorary professorship from Chinese Jilin University / University honors Degussa Management Board Chairman

Dusseldorf (ots) - Prof. Utz-Hellmuth Felcht (59), Management
Board Chairman of Degussa AG, has been bestowed the title of honorary
professor by Jilin University of Changchun, north China. The award
has been made in recognition of his personal services in the field of
high-performance polymer research and for playing a prominent role in
fostering cooperation between Degussa and the university.

Prof. Zhou Qifeng, President of Jilin University, conferred the
award in a festive ceremony attended by over 200 professors and
students. Prof. Zhou Qifeng: "As an outstanding scientist in
chemistry and CEO of a famous multinational enterprise, Prof. Felcht,
with his keen insight and outstanding leadership skills, has been
closely collaborating with many universities and pushing forward the
industrialization of high-tech research results." Felcht held his
acceptance speech on the topic of "Innovations at Degussa". Jilin
University is one of China's foremost establishments of higher
education. Prof. Zhou Qifeng is a chemist and member of the China
Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academic Degrees Committee.

Relations between Degussa and Jilin University are defined by
close collaboration, as evidenced by the joint venture JIDA Degussa
High Performance Polymers Changchun Co. Ltd. (JIDA Degussa), which
took up work in December 2005 with the objective of producing
polyetheretherketone (PEEK)* and polyethersulfone (PES). JIDA Degussa
has enabled Degussa to expand its range of products in the attractive
segment of high-performance polymers - which have to fulfill extreme
mechanical, thermal and chemical requirements - for the automotive
engineering and electronics end markets and the aerospace industry in
particular. Degussa has an 80 percent stake in the joint venture via
its Chinese holding, and Jilin University holds the remaining 20
percent. The joint venture benefits from Degussa's financial
strength, its worldwide sales network and its high degree of
application technology know-how, while the university acts as the
technology provider and research partner.

Felcht held an honorary professorship at Frankfurt University
between 1993 and 1999, and was awarded the same distinction in 1999
by Munich Technical University, where he has regularly held lectures
since.

Degussa has been making specialty chemical products in China since
1988 and has distinctly expanded its presence in the country over the
past few years, with Felcht playing an instrumental role in this
respect. As the Degussa Management Board Chairman states, "Only
companies that position themselves in emerging markets early on will
be able to stand their ground in future in the international chemical
industry." Today Degussa operates 23 companies in China. Its
production facilities in Anqui, Beijing, Changchun, Guangzhou, Hong
Kong, Huzhou, Jining, Liaoyang, Nanning, Qingdao, Rizhao, Shanghai,
and Yingkou make a broad spectrum of high-quality products - ranging
from carbon blacks, rubber silanes, amino acids, polyurethane foam
additives, high performance polymers and initiators used in the
production of plastics - aligned to customers all over Asia. In
fiscal 2005, Degussa's Chinese operations generated sales of over
¤320 million with around 2,600 employees.

* PEEK is the official abbreviation for polyetheretherketone as
defined by ISO 1043.

Degussa is the global market leader in specialty chemicals. Our
business is creating essentials-innovative products and system
solutions that make indispensable contributions to our customers'
success. In fiscal 2005 around 44,000 employees worldwide generated
sales of 11.8 billion euros and operating profits (EBIT) of 940
million euros.

Originaltext: Degussa AG
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Contact:
Hannelore Gantzer
Spokeswoman
Corporate Communications
T +49-211-65041-368
F +49-211-65041-527
hannelore.gantzer@degussa.com