Albemarle, Chinese Industry Association Join to Support Reconstruction of Sichuan Fire Research Institute

July 17, 2008 6:52 PM EDT

BATON ROUGE, La., July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a very specialized response to the devastating earthquake that struck China's Sichuan province in May, the China Plastics Processing Industry Association (CPPIA) and leading global specialty chemical maker Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) have joined forces to help restore the work of the Sichuan Fire Research Institute (SCFRI) by temporarily housing the institute's research projects at Albemarle's Nanjing Technical Center.

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Located in Dujiangyan City, Sichuan province, SCFRI is a professional scientific institute that specializes in the study of construction fire protection and technology, under the direction of China's Ministry of Public Security. The institute leads the drafting, dissemination, and implementation of the national standard governing requirements for fire retarding products in public places, GB20286. Specifically, the institute is responsible for the study of fireproofing construction materials and products, and for the issuance of flame retardant labels for certified products.

Several buildings at SCFRI collapsed or received serious damage as a result of the May earthquake, and some of the facility's testing equipment was ruined.

To help the institute recover its function and duties more quickly and to ensure that significant ongoing fire research can continue, Albemarle's NTC, an official CPPIA-authorized Flame Retardant Products Test Center, has opened its doors to SCFRI scientists, offering relevant testing and research facilities and support. As a result, the issuing of flame retardant labels will not be affected by the damage caused to the institute.

"Both CPPIA and Albemarle have always actively cooperated with and supported the institute's work," said Mr. Lu Guojian, deputy director of SCFRI. "This new assistance from CPPIA and Albemarle will play a positive and important role in the rapid restoration of SCFRI's work after this disaster."

"CPPIA and Albemarle will work together to ensure that SCFRI's relevant studies and role in issuing flame retardant certification labels can be re- established as soon as possible," said Mr. Liao Zhengpin, Chairman of CPPIA. "Their support will help carry on the cause of fire safety in public places in China."

"By aiding SCFRI, Albemarle is fulfilling its social responsibility as a good corporate citizen," said Mr. John Sun, managing director of Albemarle's greater China operations.

Sun noted that employees at Albemarle's various locations in China, Korea and Japan have raised significant funds to aid the victims of the earthquakes, and employees around the world have made monetary donations to support relief efforts.

"Corporate citizenship is an important part of Albemarle's sustainability principles. We will always uphold those principles, especially at difficult times, to enhance our communities and improve the lives of those around us," Sun said.

Located in the Nanjing Chemical Industrial Park, Albemarle's NTC is equipped with world-class laboratory facilities. The center's R&D activities include quality analysis and quality control; chemical, physical and fire testing; synthesis and development of novel FR technologies; and application development.

In April 2008, NTC was authorized as an official "Flame Retardant Products Test Center" by CPPIA.

Albemarle is one of the world's largest developers and manufacturers of flame retardants for a variety of products and applications, from computers and consumer electronics to automotive wire & cable, to building and construction materials.

Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics; petroleum and petrochemical processing; transportation and industrial products; pharmaceuticals; agricultural products; and construction and packaging materials. The Company operates in three business segments-Polymer Additives, Catalysts and Fine Chemicals, and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Learn more about Albemarle at www.albemarle.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Albemarle Corporation's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

SOURCE Albemarle Corporation

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