NAPERVILLE, Ill. and ESSEN, Germany, March 15, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Nalco Company (NYSE:NLC) and Degussa GmbH's Goldschmidt Industrial Specialties have entered into an agreement for Nalco to be the exclusive distributor of Degussa's tissue additives in Europe and exclusive agent in the NAFTA region.
Tissue is a low weight, thin paper often used to make facial and bathroom tissue. Softness and absorbency are critical factors for end user satisfaction. Tissue makers need to achieve that consumer expectation with an efficient manufacturing process that effectively combines the fiber, water and energy needed to make the tissue. Degussa additives include softeners and debonders that help achieve the appropriate softness levels for the end use.
"Nalco's SMART Solutions(r) for Softness provides an integrated matrix of mechanical, operational and chemical solutions to help tissue manufacturers achieve their desired degree of tissue softness and meet production goals," said Stuart Passantino, Global Strategic Business Leader for Tissue and Towel Grades for Nalco. "With Degussa's products in our offering bundle, we have expanded the chemical programs we can offer to our customers along with our process and paper machine expertise."
Yvonne Deac, Global Marketing Manager Textile/Tissue, Goldschmidt Industrial Specialties from Degussa added, "This strategic relationship is a unique combination of powerful chemical, mechanical and operational background; innovation and mill service that enables two strategic partners to deliver the best solutions to customers in line with the challenging needs of the tissue market worldwide. Tissue producers and mills can benefit from our globally available specialty product range, including our well-known tissue wet-end and topical softener and softener/debonder brands AROSURF(r) PA, VARISOFT(r), Z-QUAT(tm) , REWOQUAT(r) and TEGOPREN(r), complemented with Nalco's mechanical, operational and chemical approach."
About Nalco
Nalco is the leading provider of integrated water treatment and process improvement services, chemicals and equipment programs for industrial and institutional applications. The company currently serves more than 70,000 customer locations representing a broad range of end markets. It has established a global presence with more than 11,000 employees operating in 130 countries supported by a comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and research centers. In 2006, Nalco achieved sales of more than $3.6 billion. For more information visit www.nalco.com.
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About Degussa
Degussa -- a wholly owned subsidiary of the RAG Group -- 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.
This news release includes forward-looking statements, reflecting current analysis and expectations, based on what are believed to be reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected, stated or implied, depending on many factors, including, without limitation: ability to generate cash, ability to raise capital, ability to refinance, the result of the pursuit of strategic alternatives, ability to execute work process redesign and reduce costs, ability to execute price increases, business climate, business performance, economic and competitive uncertainties, higher manufacturing costs, reduced level of customer orders, changes in strategies, risks in developing new products and technologies, environmental and safety regulations and clean-up costs, foreign exchange rates, the impact of changes in the regulation or value of pension fund assets and liabilities, changes in generally accepted accounting principles, adverse legal and regulatory developments, including increases in the number or financial exposures of claims, lawsuits, settlements or judgments, or the inability to eliminate or reduce such financial exposures by collecting indemnity payments from insurers, the impact of increased accruals and reserves for such exposures, weather-related factors, and adverse changes in economic and political climates around the world, including terrorism and international hostilities, and other risk factors identified by the Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will meet future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. This paragraph is included to provide safe harbor for forward-looking statements, which are not generally required to be publicly revised as circumstances change, and which the Company does not intend to update.