Wiesbaden, February 11, 2014. SGL Group - The Carbon Company, today inaugurated its automated isostatic graphite production center in Bonn with the official hand-over of the new isostatic press by Avure Technologies. The production center was completed on schedule and commenced production in January 2014. 

Frank Wittchen, Chairman of the Business Unit Graphite Specialties: "With this investment, SGL Group further strengthened its leading position regarding technology and quality. As a fully integrated producer with a global presence we offer our customers tailor-made solutions based on isostatic graphite products up to largest dimensions. We partner with our customers to support them in their product and process development."

The core element of the production center comprises the world's largest press for the production of isostatic graphite, with a total weight of 900 metric tons. In addition, new milling and mixing facilities were installed. The product portfolio will be transferred to the new center while the original capacities will be decommissioned step by step.

The investment into the expansion of the production capacity for isostatic graphite also included the construction of a second ring furnace at SGL Group's site in Yangquan, China that also went into operation as planned.

Among other things, isostatic graphite is required for the production of ultrapure polysilicon and silicon monocrystals for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries. Furthermore, graphite components are used in the production of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

About SGL Group - The Carbon Company

SGL Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of carbon-based products and materials. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group's core competencies are its expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group's carbon-based materials combine several unique properties such as very good electrical and thermal conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength combined with low weight. Due to industrialization in the growth regions of Asia and Latin America and increased substitution of traditional with innovative materials, there is a growing demand for SGL Group's high-performance materials and products. Products from SGL Group are used predominantly in the steel, aluminum, automotive and chemical industries as well as in the semiconductor, solar and LED sectors and in lithium-ion batteries. Carbon-based materials and products are also being used increasingly in the wind power, aerospace and defense industries.

With 44 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as a service network covering more than 100 countries, SGL Group is a company with a global presence.In 2012, the Company's workforce of around 6,700 employees generated sales of €1,709 million.The Company's head office is located in Wiesbaden.

Further information on the SGL Group can be found online at: www.sglgroup.com.

Important note:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on the information currently available to us and on our current projections and assumptions. By nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as a consequence of which actual developments and results can deviate significantly from these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not to be understood as guarantees. Rather, future developments and results depend on a number of factors; they entail various risks and unanticipated circumstances and are based on assumptions which may prove to be inaccurate. These risks and uncertainties include, for example, unforeseeable changes in political, economic, legal, and business conditions, particularly relating to our main customer industries, such as electric steel production, to the competitive environment, to interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, to technological developments, and to other risks and unanticipated circumstances. Other risks that in our opinion may arise include price developments, unexpected developments connected with acquisitions and subsidiaries, and unforeseen risks associated with ongoing cost savings programs. SGL Group does not intend or assume any responsibility to revise or otherwise update these forward-looking statements.

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