Cognis has completed the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Jacarei, Brazil and has now begun full production of refrigeration polyol esters. The new state of the art facility is dedicated to the manufacture of Cognis patented ProEco® polyol ester synthetic lubricants for the refrigeration market, which exhibit excellent performance with today’s environmentally friendly HFC refrigerants. This is the first such facility constructed in Brazil and paves the road for future endeavors and expansions.

"Cognis" commitment to the refrigeration market is further defined by our ability to create a manufacturing facility dedicated to the production of high quality, high performance polyol ester lubricants for our customers,” states Scott Gustafson, Global Segment Manager - Refrigeration, Synlubes Technology. “Providing refrigeration industry customers with high quality products on a localized basis is essential to ensuring we are able to provide reliable, long-term supply.”

Construction and commissioning of this plant once again highlights Cognis commitment to sustainability and protection of the environment.

For more information about Cognis ProEco® refrigeration products, please visit www.cognis.com

About Cognis:
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients. It employs 8,500 people, and has production sites and service centers in almost 30 countries. The company has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Additionally, Cognis provides solutions for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles and plastics, as well as agriculture and mining.

Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and Schroder Ventures Life Sciences. In 2003, Cognis recorded sales of 2.95 billion euros and an operating profit before depreciation, amortization and exceptional items (EBITDA recurring) of 312 million euros.

Contact:
Scott Gustafson, Global Segment Manager RefrigerationM
Cognis Synlubes Technology
Phone: +1-678-546-5382
E-mail: scott.gustafson@cognis-us.com
Internet: www.cognis.com

Joy Bryant, Corporate Communications Manager
Cognis Corporation (North America)
Phone: +1-513-482-3855
E-mail : joy.bryant@cognis.com
Internet : www.cognis.com

Wulf Klüppelholz, Corporate Communications Manager
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-6679
E-mail: wulf.klueppelholz@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com