Inco and Süd-Chemie establish joint venture for development of diesel emission control materials and catalysts

30/11/2006 - Inco Limited (Inco), a leading nickel and nickel specialties producer based in Toronto, Canada, and Süd-Chemie AG, Munich, Germany (Süd-Chemie), a leading supplier of catalysts for the chemicals and refining industry and for environmental applications, have agreed to establish a joint venture company for the production and marketing of catalyzed diesel emission control materials for the automotive industry. Equity interests in the new company, which will be named Alantum, will be divided equally between Inco ECM GmbH, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Inco Limited, and Süd-Chemie.

Alantum will concentrate initially on diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) applications for European passenger car and light truck markets. Production will take place in a new facility at Süd Chemie’s Heufeld site in Germany. Commercial scale production is expected to begin in 2008.

The technologies brought into the joint venture by each of the parents are highly complementary. Süd-Chemie brings in its depth of knowledge in catalysis, while Inco will provide its new alloy foam substrate and extensive metals processing technology. This new generation of catalyzed substrates for emission control products offers considerable benefits compared to traditional catalyzed ceramic substrates.

The introduction of increasingly stringent regulations for exhaust emissions in Europe offers an outstanding opportunity for growth. In setting up the joint venture, the two companies aim to fully participate in that growth, based on this unique offering to the automotive industry.

Peter Goudie, Inco’s Executive Vice-President Marketing, commented: “Inco is delighted to enter into this partnership with Süd-Chemie, a recognized leader in catalyst products. We view this as an exciting application for our nickel foam technology and an important technology breakthrough in catalyzed diesel emission control, with significant value-creation potential. Our two companies, the automotive industry and the environment will all benefit from this partnership.”

Dr. Hans Jürgen Wernicke, Member of the Managing Board of Süd-Chemie AG, said: “This project is of high strategic importance for Süd-Chemie. We are a global leader in catalyst technology and intend to gain a similar position in the rapidly growing market for diesel exhaust gas catalysts. We are proud to work with Inco, the world’s leading nickel technology company, in reaching this goal.“

Munich and Toronto, 30 November 2006

Süd-Chemie AG (www.sud-chemie.com) is a publicly quoted (Security Identification Number (WKN): 729 200), independent specialty chemical company headquartered in Munich/Germany and operating on a worldwide scale. Key markets served by its Adsorbents Division include the consumer-goods, packaging and foundry industries, as well as the paper and plastics industries. Products manufactured by the Catalysts Division offer solutions for water treatment, petrochemicals processing, energy storage and hydrogen production, as well as off-gas purification. The common denominator of all its products and innovations is the efficient and sparing use of natural resources to enhance the quality of life for humans and the environment. The Süd-Chemie Group generated sales of €933 million in 2005, almost 80% of these outside Germany. Süd-Chemie Group had some 5,000 employees at 65 sales and production sites worldwide in mid 2006.


Inco Limited (www.inco.com) is one of the world’s premier mining and metals companies and the world’s second largest producer of nickel. Inco is also an important producer of copper, cobalt and precious metals and a major producer of value-added specialty nickel products. On October 24, 2006, the Brazilian-based mining and metals company Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) obtained control of Inco Limited.

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Steve Mitchell

Corporate Public Affairs

Inco Limited

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