An Affiliate of Sun European Partners, LLP Acquires the European PET Resins Business of Wellman, Inc.

Sun European Partners, LLP ("Sun European Partners"), the European
adviser to Sun Capital Partners, Inc. ("Sun Capital Partners"), today
announced that one of its affiliates has acquired the PET Resins
European business ("PET Resins") of Wellman, Inc. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.

PET Resins, which is based in Arnhem, Netherlands ("NL") and
Emmen, NL, manufactures solid stated PET ("polyethylene
terephthalate") resins used in food and beverage packaging for soft
drinks, water, and juice and for the general engineering industry,
through three business lines:

-- Commodities: soft drink and water bottles and conventional PET
film and sheet products

-- Specialties: PET sheet for food packaging and crystallized PET
for food trays and other specialized products

-- EcoClear(R): pre-blended post consumer recycled / virgin
chemical resin

Ruud Enter, General Manager, PET Resins, said: "This is a
fantastic opportunity for PET Resins. With the backing of Sun Capital
Partners' affiliate, we now have the resources to expand our strategic
operating objectives and deepen the penetration of the Specialties
resin marketplace."

Sebastien Kiekert Le Moult, Vice President, Sun European Partners,
added: "We are pleased to have advised Sun Capital's affiliate on the
acquisition of PET Resins and look forward to supporting PET Resins'
management team in expanding its Specialties PET product range and
increasing its market share based on its leading,
application-enhanced, product development strategy. We believe that
this business is a great addition to Sun Capital's portfolio of
market-leading companies, including such well-known global
manufacturing and flexible packaging businesses as Exopack Holding,
Performance Fibers, and Autobar Packaging Group."

Thomas M. Duff, Wellman's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
stated, "The sale of this business reflects our strategy to focus on
our U.S. chemical-based business."

About Sun European Partners, LLP

Sun European Partners, LLP is the European advisor to Sun Capital
Partners, Inc., a leading U.S.-based investment firm focused on
leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in
market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating
professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in
and managed more than 155 companies worldwide since Sun Capital's
inception in 1995 in the Unites States, with combined sales in excess
of EUR 25.7 billion (USD 35 billion). For more information, please
visit www.SunEuropeanPartners.com.

About Wellman, Inc.

Wellman, Inc. manufactures and markets high-quality polyester
products, including PermaClear(R) brand PET, packaging resin, and
Fortrel(R) brand polyester fiber.