Wacker Chemie AG to establish regional sales office in the region's premier technology innovations hub

Dubai: May 4, 2008 - Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) and Wacker Chemie AG, a leading global supplier to the chemical, semi-conductor and solar industries, signed a deal today to cement the establishment of WACKER's Near and Middle East regional headquarters into DSO, the region's premier integrated innovations hub for high-tech industries.

Expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2009, the Munich-based company, through its 12,881 square meter facility, will be establishing its regional headquarters at the Dubai Silicon Oasis. The headquarters will be home to WACKER's Near and Middle East sales and marketing activities. The headquarters will also feature a Technical Center which will provide technical support to customers in the construction industry, WACKER's key business in the region currently. With the development of new industries in the Middle East, WACKER will be able to market other high-tech products from its broad portfolio such as polysilicon and hyperpure wafers for the solar and semiconductor applications.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - DSOA, said: "Dubai Silicon Oasis continues to successfully attract more and more international companies into its premises through offering value adding opportunities to its investors; thus building on the park's original strategic goal. Our aim is to create an integrated technological community boasting the best

international business practices in the production of technology which can be utilized in the telecommunication, electronics, solar sectors, and others."

He added: "By choosing DSO, WACKER acknowledges the advantages offered to international investors within the technology sectors. Furthermore, we believe that this ambitious collaboration, backed by the two partners with a like-minded commitment to innovation and excellence, will successfully contribute to positioning Dubai Silicon Oasis as one of the premier technology, research and development hubs in the region."

Acknowledging the comparative benefits offered by Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dr. Stefano Iannacone, Managing Director of Wacker Chemie Middle East, said: "We are very happy with the agreement achieved with the DSO management and looking forward to building our new offices here. Establishing our operations at DSO is an important milestone to further boost our leading market position in the construction industry as well as in other highly attractive growth segments within the region."

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About WACKER
Established in 1914, WACKER is a globally active chemical company headquartered in Munich, Germany. With a wide range of state-of-the-art specialty products, WACKER is a leader in numerous industrial sectors. Its products are required in countless high-growth end-user sectors such as photovoltaic, electronics, pharmaceuticals and household/personal care products. As the world's largest supplier of dispersible polymer powder, WACKER provides raw materials essential to sustainable construction techniques and energy saving. Applications include high-quality modern exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) and polymer-modified sealing slurries, which help conserve water in the long term.

In 2007, the WACKER Group generated sales of €3.78 billion (according to IFRS). Of this amount, Germany accounted for 19 %, Europe (excluding Germany) 27 %, North & South America 17 %, Asia Pacific 34 % and ROW 3 %. As of December 31, 2007, WACKER had some 15,000 employees. The company's operations are divided in five business divisions: Siltronic,

WACKER SILICONES, WACKER POLYMERS, WACKER POLYSILICON and WACKER FINE CHEMICALS. The Group operates 27 production sites worldwide, supplying over 3,500 products to more than 3,500 customers in over 100 countries. WACKER is represented by subsidiaries and sales offices in over 28 countries across Europe, the Americas and Asia.

About Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), a 100% owned entity by the Government of Dubai is a free zone, strategically placed on the Emirates road. DSOA's urban master-planned community spans 7.2 square kilometers of state of the art office towers, R&D and industrial zones, educational institutions, luxury apartments, villas, hotels, healthcare and a full range of lifestyle facilities which translate into a dynamic commercial and social environment. Businesses can flourish under the unrivalled package of incentives, including 100% ownership, and high end IT infrastructure that allows companies to begin operating immediately. Visit us at www.dso.ae

© Press Release 2008