Degussa Stockhausen Employees Donate $71,500 To Greensboro United Way   

More Than 84% Of Employees Contribute, Up Significantly From Year Ago  

GREENSBORO, N. C., May 23, 2007 – Degussa’s Stockhausen business has contributed $71,500 to the Greensboro United Way, a result of numerous fund raisers that included chocolate ‘roses’ for Valentine’s Day, a Chili Cook Off, and frequent hot dog and hamburger events.

Neil Belenky, president of The United Way of Greater Greensboro, said the organization is extraordinarily grateful for Degussa Stockhausen's generous contribution. “Employees at companies like Degussa Stockhausen display a tremendous commitment to the community, particularly in these challenging times,” said Belenky. “Degussa Stockhausen is exhibiting the kind of leadership the people in Greensboro need to see to show them that there is hope for the future even during times of economic upheaval.”

Bernard Harvey, Degussa Managing Director of the Greensboro site, praised the generosity of the Greensboro employees and noted that the number of Degussa individuals who gave $1,000 or more in 2006 doubled from the previous year.

“Our employees are enthusiastic supporters of the United Way,” said Harvey. “They believe in giving back to the community as much – and as often – as they can.”

Peter Gursky, Degussa vice president of operations in Greensboro, noted that Ann Seibert, Degussa Stockhausen chair of the United Way Committee, found a unique method to get employees to open up their wallets via their stomachs. “Ann and her creative United Way committee decided the best way to get more employees to participate in the United Way was appealing to their appetites,” he explains. “They decided to ‘heat up’ their giving agenda with a Chili Cook Off and even offered ‘good enough to eat’ bouquets of roses at Valentine’s Day. They should be commended for their creativity.”

The United Way of Greater Greensboro even honored Ann and her team as the “Most Enthusiastic” of the area United Way campaigns.

“With their dedication and drive, Ann Seibert and her volunteers were able to keep the energy high and made Degussa’s United Way campaign one of the most enthusiastically received programs in the site’s history,” said Harvey.

Degussa’s 56-acre Stockhausen facility has four manufacturing units and two Ashland manufacturing facilities with a total capital investment of about $230 million, employs 340 workers, and has an annual economic impact in the community of more than $57 million. The facility produces superabsorbers, which are used in the manufacture of disposable diapers, STOKO® industrial skin care products, and other items..

Degussa: Creating Essentials™
Degussa Corporation is part of Degussa GmbH – a wholly owned subsidiary of the RAG Group. Degussa GmbH is the global market leader in specialty chemicals. Its business is creating essentials: innovative products and system solutions that make indispensable contributions to its customers’ success. In fiscal 2006 around 36,000 employees worldwide generated sales of 10.9 billion euros and operating profits (EBIT) of more than 870 million euros.