Intertek Acquires Polychemlab from DSM

Intertek Group Plc ("Intertek") has acquired from
Chemelot BV ("Chemelot"), a subsidiary of DSM NV ("DSM"), the
Polychemlab operations based in Geleen, Netherlands. Intertek Group
plc ("Intertek") is a leading international provider of quality and
safety services to a wide range of global and local industries. As
part of this agreement, DSM has awarded a 5 year laboratory
outsourcing services agreement to Caleb Brett, the Oil, Chemical &
Agri Division of Intertek. Polychemlab will be among Intertek's
largest laboratory operations in Europe with 175 technical staff
transferring from DSM.
Polychemlab is the on-site laboratory for the Chemelot Chemical
and Science Park, located between Germany and Belgium and provides a
range of technical services to the chemical, polymer and other
industries in Europe and further afield. Polychemlab expands Intertek
services by introducing new expertise and capabilities in polymer and
plastics testing, pilot/prototype polymer processing/manufacturing,
on-line analysis, process control, and associated consultancy.
Technical services include analytical chemistry for quality control
and quality assurance, trouble shooting for process and materials
failure analysis and pilot scale processing and manufacturing on a
routine and ad hoc basis.
Polychemlab is the main supplier of laboratory support for DSM and
Sabic Europe operations at the Chemelot facility, providing quick
response services on a 24/7 basis. The laboratory also performs
production performance tests on polymers, including pilot plants for
blow moulding, cast film extrusion, extrusion coating and blown film.
Over one hundred thousand analytical tests are conducted each month at
the laboratory.
"Intertek as a new parent company for Polychemlab secures
sustainability of the business and the people involved. Within
Chemelot the Polychemlab provides a very crucial high quality service
to the Chemelot based companies and future expansions. Now as an
important part of the international Intertek Group, Polychemlab will
be core-business with a very special focus on Europe," said Ger
Wagemans, Director of Chemelot.
Intertek's Oil, Chemical & Agri Vice President VP for Analytical
Services, Dr Andrew Swift commented, "The Polychemlab agreement with
DSM represents a further and very major advance in Intertek's
strategic growth in laboratory outsourcing in the chemical industry,
extending the range of expertise and services Intertek can provide to
some if its key growth markets. We look forward to partnering with DSM
and Sabic and in the continued growth and prosperity of the Chemelot
manufacturing complex."

About Intertek:

Intertek Group plc is a leading international provider of quality
and safety services to a wide range of global and local industries
through the provision of independent testing, certification and
inspection services. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange
(FTSE:ITRK). The Intertek Oil, Chemical & Agri division, Caleb Brett,
provides 24/7/365 testing and inspection services to the global
chemical, petroleum and refining industries. A growing international
network of Intertek laboratories serves clients on a global basis.
Services include laboratory testing, outsourcing, inspection, R&D and
process services. www.intertek.com, www.intertek-cb.com

About Chemelot:

Chemelot is an important chemical production and sciences business
park located in Geelen, Netherlands. Companies with operations at
Chemelot include DSM, Sabic, and many others. Chemelot offers
world-class infrastructure and prime location with excellent transport
connections. Chemelot is expanding, driven by new investments in
research activities and new start-ups attracted to an innovative open
campus. http://www3.dsm.com/chemelot/_nl/index.htm

About DSM:

DSM is active worldwide in nutritional and pharma ingredients,
performance materials and industrial chemicals. DSM products are used
in a wide range of end markets and applications such as human and
animal nutrition and health, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, automotive
and transport, coatings, housing and electrics & electronics (E&E).
The group has annual sales of over EUR 8 billion and employs some
22,000 people worldwide. DSM ranks among the global leaders in many of
its fields. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with
locations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. www.dsm.com

About Polychemlab:

The laboratory was established over 75 years ago to provide
on-site support for the DSM Limburg chemical plant complex.
Polychemlab has evolved in line with the development and changes in
DSM's production portfolio. Main services offered include polymer
testing and processing, chemical analysis, on-line systems development
& support, and environmental & safety services. Located in a
state-of-the-art laboratory building on the boundary of the Chemelot
site near Maastricht, Aachen and Liege, Polychemlab is in the very
heart of Western Europe and within proximity of the German Ruhrgebiet
industrial area. http://polychemlab.intertek-cb.com/