Markus Scherer joins Cognis’ Synlubes team to strengthen strategic and product development

Markus Scherer (37) has been appointed Global Technology Manager Synlubes at Cognis Functional Products Technology. The expertise that he has accumulated in his many years of high-level experience in this field will be reflected in the new products and strategies he develops, benefiting both Cognis and its customers. The appointment strengthens global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis’ position as a leading provider of environmentally friendly, comprehensive high-performance solutions in the global lubricant and fuel market.

In his new position, Markus Scherer will head up the Synlubes Application Technology groups worldwide. A sizeable proportion of his work will involve the global management of Synlubes’ Innovation Pipeline and coordinating this with Functional Products Research & Product Development centers. In this role he will support the development of sales and marketing programs for Synlubes biodegradable lubricants and lubricant additives, with particular focus on Cognis’ Synative®-, Emgard®- and ProEco® product lines.

Before joining Cognis, Scherer was head of technical marketing/application testing of RohMax, Degussa's lubricant additive business line. He is graduated from the University of Cologne, Germany, where he was awarded a PhD in chemistry.

About Cognis:
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients. As at June 30, 2004, the company employed about 8,400 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis 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 Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items) of 312 million euros.

Contact:
Dr. Rainer Höfer, Vice President Functional Products Technology
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-4830
E-mail: rainer.hoefer@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