5 May 2005

INEOS CHLOR INVESTS IN NEW ULTRA-PURE SULPHURIC ACID PLANT AT RUNCORN, CHESHIRE

INEOS Chlor has today announced a major investment in a new plant to produce 11,000 te/yr of ultra-pure sulphuric acid. The state-of-the art facility will be built at INEOS Chlor's sulphur chemicals manufacturing facility in Runcorn, Cheshire.

This multi-million pound investment will be the platform for growth in supplying the European semi-conductor and pharmaceutical industries and will maintain continuity of supply to existing customers.

In January of this year, INEOS Chlor purchased Rhodia's ultra-pure sulphuric acid business following Rhodia's decision to cease manufacturing at Staveley, Derbyshire. INEOS Chlor is currently serving customers with product that is being toll manufactured at the Staveley site.

INEOS Chlor's new plant is scheduled to come on stream in early 2006 and is designed to meet the exacting product quality requirements of the semi-conductor industry.

Chris Tane, CEO for INEOS Chlor Enterprises comments: "This is a major investment that underlines our commitment to supply the semi-conductor industry with the very high quality products they require at very competitive prices. By building our new plant while the existing plant at Staveley continues to operate, we will also be able to ensure continuity of supply for all of our customers."

ENDS

For further information please contact the INEOS Chlor Press Office:

Craig Welsh
Telephone: 01928 511528
Fax: 01928 569459

Email: craig.welsh@ineoschlor.com