Umicore

Environmental & Social Information • Jul 20, 2011

CP-2011-21-R 8:00 CET

Press release Regulated information 20 July 2011

Umicore to build new production line for automotive catalysts in China

Umicore will increase its production capacity for automotive catalysts in Suzhou, China. The investment will support multiple catalytic systems and further the site's ability to serve heavy duty diesel platforms based on secured new awards. The investment also entails the supporting infrastructure for further expansion and is due to be commissioned mid 2012.

Umicore is a global leader in automotive catalysts and has a leading position in the Chinese market. The company serves the Chinese market with a broad spectrum of catalyst technologies for both light duty and heavy duty vehicles. Umicore first established an automotive catalyst production plant in China in 2005 and has since continuously increased its production capacity and capabilities, the most recent expansion having been commissioned in 2010. The continuous expansion in Suzhou goes hand-in-hand with the car market developments in China and the intensification of emission legislation.

The construction of the new production line runs in parallel with the technology development centre currently being built in Suzhou which is also due to be commissioned mid 2012. This centre will serve the system development and emission testing needs of the Chinese market for light duty and heavy duty vehicle drivetrains, and for multiple engine types, including hybrid electric vehicles.

Arjang Roshan, Umicore's Senior Vice-President for Automotive Catalysts in the Asia Pacific region, commented: "The new investment demonstrates our commitment to maintain our position as a leader in the Chinese autocatalysts market. The combination of increased production capacity, further expansion possibilities and test and development facilities, will place Umicore in an ideal position to further serve the domestic car producers and global players in China."

Umicore Group Communications

Naamloze vennootschap / Société Anonyme phone +32 2 227 71 11 VAT BE0401 574 852 Broekstraat 31 Rue du Marais fax +32 2 227 79 00 Company number 0401574852 B-1000 Brussels e-mail info@umicore.com Registered office Broekstraat 31 Rue du Marais Belgium web www.umicore.com B-1000 Brussels

For more information

Investor Relations:

Mr. Geoffroy RASKIN	+32 2 227 71 47	geoffroy.raskin@umicore.com
Mrs Evelien GOOVAERTS	+32 2 227 78 38	evelien.goovaerts@umicore.com
Director of Group Communications:
Mr. Tim WEEKES	+32 2 227 73 98	+32 473 98 49 14	tim.weekes@umicore.com

Umicore profile

Umicore is a global materials technology group. It focuses on application areas where its expertise in materials science, chemistry and metallurgy makes a real difference. Its activities are centred on four business areas: Catalysis, Energy Materials, Performance Materials and Recycling. Each business area is divided into marketfocused business units offering materials and solutions that are at the cutting edge of new technological developments and essential to everyday life.

Umicore generates the majority of its revenues and dedicates most of its R&D efforts to clean technologies, such as emission control catalysts, materials for rechargeable batteries and photovoltaics, fuel cells, and recycling. Umicore's overriding goal of sustainable value creation is based on an ambition to develop, produce and recycle materials in a way that fulfils its mission: materials for a better life.

The Umicore Group has industrial operations on all continents and serves a global customer base; it generated a turnover of € 9.7 billion (€ 2.0 billion excluding metal) in 2010 and currently employs some 14,400 people.