PCC SE: PCC and PETRONAS Chemicals Group plan joint production of specialty chemicals in Malaysia

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Duisburg (Germany) / Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) (pta017/11.09.2020/12:09 UTC+2) PCC SE and PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) plan to establish a joint production of specialty chemicals in Malaysia, whereby PCC SE is selling 50% of the shares in its project company PCC Oxyalkylates Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PCC-OM) to PCG. The objective of the 50/50 partnership is primarily to access the markets for oxyalkylates in Southeast Asia (SEA) and Asia-Pacific, allowing the PCC Group to expand one of its core businesses into this growth region.

Oxyalkylates are a group of chemicals comprising non-ionic surfactants (ethoxylates) and polyether polyols. These chemicals are used for the manufacture of a wide range of end products. Ethoxylates serve as feedstocks in, for example, the production of laundry, home care and personal care products, while polyether polyols are, among others, used for cold-cure foam mattresses and upholstery applications. Demand for these two chemicals are expected to grow especially in the SEA and Asia Pacific regions.

PCC SE established the project company PCC-OM in 2017 with a view to expanding into the Asian region on the back of know-how gained over several decades in the development and production of surfactants and polyols.

With the partnership now established, PCG and PCC SE plan to build an oxyalkylates facility within PCG's Kertih Integrated Petrochemical Complex, Terengganu, to produce ethoxylates and polyether polyols. The construction of the facility is targeted to commence in 2021 while production is scheduled to begin in 2023. The partners also intend to establish a joint research and development center at PCC-OM to ensure a high level of innovation and fulfillment of individual customer requirements.

This strategic partnership leverages on the strengths of both companies; PCG as one of the leading integrated chemical players in SEA, and PCC SE with extensive expertise in the production of oxyalkylates, including in particular chemical specialties serving a wide range of industrial applications. The partnership will enable PCC-OM to deliver high value innovative solutions to customers in the oxyalkylates market in the region.

Waldemar Preussner, Chairman of the Administrative Board of PCC SE, stated: "Through this joint venture, we are boosting the expansion of PCC's core businesses with the Polyols and Surfactants segments in the growth markets of Asia. The Kertih site is ideal due to the availability of important raw materials and an excellent infrastructure with a direct seaport access, thus ensuring competitive production and logistics costs. This project enables us to leverage on the know-how we have gained from decades of oxyalkylates production and it also provides a pathway for expanding our product portfolio, thanks to the proximity of the new R&D center to customers in Asia. In PCG we have found a strong strategic partner both for this investment as well as for potential further cooperation in the chemicals industry."

Elaborating on the acquisition, PCG Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sazali Hamzah said: "This is another milestone for PCG in our quest to develop the Group's specialty chemicals business segment. We are pleased to be working with PCC SE, a global surfactant player, in our first foray into the specialty oxyalkylates market, as their experience, expertise and capabilities provide a strategic fit into our growth plans. We will continue to explore investing in more technologies and assets that will further expand our high-value chemicals portfolio, thus future proofing our business."

Non-ionic surfactants (ethoxylates) are particularly effective surface-active agents for the manufacture of cleaning, laundry and personal care products and are also used for industrial applications, for example as oilfield chemicals. The PCC Group company PCC Exol SA manufactures these in a portfolio that includes more than 200 different surfactants in all. Polyether polyols serve as feedstocks for the production of polyurethane (PU) foams covering a wide range of applications in various industries, including in particular cold-cure foam mattresses and upholstery for the furniture and automotive industries; the PCC Group company PCC Rokita SA is the leading producer of polyols in Eastern Europe.

About PCC SE

Headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, PCC SE is the parent and investment holding company of the globally active PCC Group. The Group companies of PCC SE have core competencies in the production of chemical feedstocks and specialties, with container logistics as a further focus of the investment portfolio. An investor committed to the longer term, PCC SE concentrates on continuously increasing the enterprise value of its portfolio companies through sustainable investments and the ongoing creation of new value. The largest chemical producers of the PCC Group are PCC Rokita SA, a major chlorine manufacturer and Eastern Europe's leading producer of polyols, and PCC Exol SA, one of Europe's most advanced surfactant manufacturers.

PCC was founded in 1993 by Waldemar Preussner, who, as its sole shareholder, is today Chairman of the Administrative Board of PCC SE. With around 3,500 employees worldwide, the PCC Group generated consolidated sales of 767.5 million euros in fiscal 2019, with its capital expenditures totaling163.5 million euros.

For further information, go to: https://www.pcc.eu

Press contact:
Susanne Biskamp
Head of Marketing & Public Relations
PCC SE Moerser Str. 149 47198 Duisburg Germany
Phone: +49 (0)2066 20 19-35 Email: susanne.biskamp@pcc.eu

About PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad

PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) is the leading integrated chemicals producer in Malaysia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. It operates a number of world-class production sites, which are fully vertically integrated from feedstock to downstream end products. With a total combined production capacity of 12.8 million metric tons per annum (mtpa), it is involved primarily in manufacturing, marketing and selling a diversified range of chemical products, including olefins, polymers, fertilizers, methanol and other basic chemicals and derivative products. Listed on Bursa Malaysia and with three decades of experience in the chemicals industry, PCG is established as part of the PETRONAS Group to maximize value from Malaysia's natural gas resources.

PCG is one of the top 10 companies in the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia (F4GBM) Index, out of 200 largest companies ranked by market capitalization. It is committed to ensuring that its business practices are in line with globally recognized standards for Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) practices.

For further information, go to: https://www.petronaschemicals.com.my

Press contact:
Yogeswari Thangavelu
Media Relations, Corporate Affairs & Administration Department
PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG)
Mobile: +60 17 2000 919 Email: yogeswari.thangavel@petronas.com

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Emitter:	PCC SE Moerser Straße 149 47198 Duisburg Germany
Contact Person:	Susanne Biskamp, PCC Head of Marketing & PR
Phone:	+49 2066 2019-35
E-Mail:	susanne.biskamp@pcc.eu
Website:	www.pcc.eu
ISIN(s):	DE000A254TD7 (Bond) DE000A254TZ0 (Bond)
Stock Exchange(s):	Free Market in Frankfurt