Investor Relations
May 25, 2012

Evonik’s owners and Evonik confirm IPO plan

  • Shares in the specialty chemicals company Evonik Industries are to be listed on the Regulated Market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
  • First trading day expected to be before the summer break
  • RAG-Stiftung and CVC will be selling shares in a ratio of 2:1

Essen, May 25, 2012 - The owners of Evonik Industries AG, RAG-Stiftung (74.99 percent) and CVC Funds (25.01 percent), together with Evonik’s Supervisory Board and Executive Board, confirm that they plan to list the shares of the specialty chemicals company on the stock exchange. Shares are to be offered to private and institutional investors in Germany and Luxembourg through a public offering. Outside of these countries, the plan is to offer the shares to institutional investors via private placements. In the U.S., the plan is to offer shares to qualified institutional investors under Rule 144A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. The shares are to be listed on the Regulated Market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

"Evonik’s alignment to specialty chemicals in recent years has proven successful," commented Wilhelm Bonse-Geuking, Chairman of the Executive Board of RAG-Stiftung and of Evonik’s Supervisory Board. "The company is extremely well prepared for the planned stock exchange listing, which plays an important role in the RAG-Stiftung’s financing of the perpetual costs of the German hard-coal mining industry and thus in meeting the foundation's purpose." Steve Koltes, Managing Partner of CVC Capital Partners, added: "Evonik’s management, employees and Supervisory Board have done a great job in recent years and have created sustained value for Evonik and its owners. The planned IPO is the logical next step."

"Despite the challenging conditions on the financial markets, we are entering the intensive phase of preparations for the planned stock exchange listing with great confidence. A stock exchange listing will make Evonik even more attractive," commented Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries AG.

Evonik is one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies and is aligned to the economically attractive global megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency, and globalization. In these areas, it focuses on market segments and regions with sustained high growth potential. In 2011, Evonik generated more than 80 percent of its chemicals sales in fields in which it ranks among the market leaders. The company derives benefits from its integrated technology platforms, which undergo continuous development. These platforms generate growth and cost benefits and represent significant market entry barriers for competitors. Furthermore, Evonik has a balanced spectrum of business activities and end-markets and a balanced regional presence. Further strengths are proximity to customers and market-oriented research and development.

Evonik reported a record performance in 2011, with sales of €14.5 billion and an operating result (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.8 billion. It continued to build on these very good results in the first quarter of 2012. After adjustment for the carbon black business, which was divested in 2011, Evonik expects that full-year sales in 2012 will be slightly higher than in 2011 and that the operating results will probably be in line with or slightly above the excellent level reported for 2011.

Based on the present timeline, publication of the securities prospectus and the start of trading in the shares is expected to take place before the summer break. Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs are Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners for the planned IPO. As additional Joint Bookrunners BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse and J.P. Morgan are mandated. The IPO advisor for RAG-Stiftung, CVC and Evonik is Lilja & Co.

Disclaimer

These materials must not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. These materials do not constitute an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Shares") of Evonik Industries AG (the "Company") in the United States, Germany or any other jurisdiction. The Shares of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration on exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Shares of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act.

This publication constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities. The offer will be made solely by means of, and on the basis of, a securities prospectus which is to be published. An investment decision regarding the publicly offered securities of Evonik Industries AG should only be made on the basis of the securities prospectus. The securities prospectus will be published promptly upon approval by the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) and will be available free of charge from Evonik Industries AG, Rellinghauser Strasse 1-11, 45128 Essen, Germany, or the Evonik Industries AG website.

In the United Kingdom, this document is only been distributed to and is only directed at persons who (i) are investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the "Order") or (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This document is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this investor relations news or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.