Air Products Sells Sodium Vinyl Sulfonate North American Distribution Activities To Proviron Fine Chemicals

Lehigh Valley, PA - Air Products announced that it has sold its sodium vinyl sulfonate (SVS) North American distribution activities, effective October 1, 2005, to Proviron Fine Chemicals NV of Ostend, Belgium. With this acquisition, Proviron reinforces its worldwide sales and marketing activities for SVS. Air Products' decision to exit the SVS business was related to recognition of Proviron's superior position to serve North American customers, allowing Air Products to focus on the growth of its Performance Materials business.

The sale includes Air Products' SVS customer lists, but does not directly impact any employees or physical production facilities. Previously, Air Products was purchasing SVS from Proviron and conducting North American sales, marketing and distribution for the product. These activities will all be fully assumed by Proviron with the sale. "Through this acquisition, and with our world-scale capacity already installed, we are ready to serve all American customers directly," said Bruno Reyntjens, business manager of Proviron.

"Proviron is in a better position to serve customers on an on-going basis as the world's largest producer of SVS. We see this as another move to again increase focus on the growth of our Performance Materials business," said Mark Wydra, general manager of Performance Solutions at Air Products. Air Products' growth platforms beyond Performance Materials include Electronics, Refinery Hydrogen and Homecare, as well as focus on Asia as a growth region.

SVS is used as an emulsifying agent in water-based systems. Diverse end- product markets served include paints, glues, photography, and galvanic baths for metals processing, among other applications.

SOURCE: Air Products