PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds: Quality management system successfully certified according to IATF 16949:2016

• Production sites in Worms and Shanghai certified according to IATF 16949:2016

• Molding Compounds Product Line meets demanding quality requirements of automotive industry for sub-tier 1 suppliers

• Certification of US production sites scheduled for 2019

The Molding Compounds Product Line of the Methacrylates Business Line has successfully completed the certification of two production sites of PLEXIGLAS®, Evonik's brand of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), according to the newly introduced quality standard for the automotive industry, IATF 16949:2016.
The certificates confirm that all quality management requirements reviewed as part of the audit were met at the German site in Worms for the production of PLEXIGLAS® and PLEXIMID® molding compounds as well as at the Chinese production site in Shanghai for the production of PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds. The certification involved audits of business processes in various operative areas such as procurement, warranty management, IT, calibration, customer relationship management, supplier management, marketing, human resources, product development, process development, testing, quality management system, strategic planning, and sales.

'This certification is an important milestone in our strategy to remain the leading global manufacturer of PMMA for the automotive industry,' explains Siamak Djafarian, the head of the Molding Compounds Product Line in Evonik's Performance Materials Segment. 'We know how important this certification is for the majority of our customers and emphasize our own commitment to quality and reliability for our PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds with the successful audit.'

During those multi-day audits, the auditors from the German Association for Certification of Management Systems (DQS) and from the SGS group verified that all processes of the Molding Compounds Product Line strictly follow the quality standards to meet the demanding quality requirements of the automotive industry for sub-tier 1 suppliers. 'The simultaneous audit of two sites on two different continents is highly complex and requires outstanding coordination,' notes Volkhard Erb of ESHQ Management in the Methacrylates Business Line, who oversaw the certification.

The new standard of the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) replaces the previous standards and certification according to ISO/TS 16949:2009, which will lose their validity in 2018, and combines the existing general demands for quality management systems in the automotive industry.

The certification of the Molding Compounds PL's US production sites in accordance with IATF 16949:2016 is scheduled for the year 2019.

About Evonik
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-orientated innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-oriented corporate culture form the heart of Evonik's corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 36,000 employees. In fiscal 2017, the enterprise generated sales of €14.4 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.36 billion.

About Performance Materials
The Performance Materials Segment is managed by Evonik Performance Materials GmbH. The segment focuses its global activities on developing and manufacturing polymer materials and intermediates, especially for use in agriculture and in the rubber and plastics industry. In 2017, the segment's roughly 4,400 employees generated sales about €3.8 billion.

Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.

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