Evonik Exploring Thermal Black Plant in Russia

On July 8, 2008, Evonik’s Inorganic Materials unit announced that it was evaluating the construction of a 20,000 tonne/year thermal black plant in Russia. The plant would be a joint venture with Russian Synttech Group, which owns the rights to a gas field near Inta, Republic of Komi, Russia, where the plant would be located. On June 30, 2008, representatives from the two companies signed a Letter of Intent in Frankfurt, Germany regarding the project. The two companies would be jointly responsible for marketing and sales efforts. Evonik Degussa currently operates a thermal black plant in Borger, Texas.