Albemarle continues to build diverse, clean energy solutions portfolio BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB), a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered and innovative specialty chemical products announced today the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a strategic alliance with MeadWestvaco Specialty Chemicals (NYSE:MWV), a leading global supplier of activated carbon. The alliance will secure a domestic supply of activated carbon to complement Albemarle's portfolio of total mercury removal solutions to the power industry and will launch MWV Specialty Chemicals as a commercial supplier to this emerging market. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050801/ALBEMARLELOGO) The alliance creates a superior competitive advantage by leveraging the experience, capabilities and resources of two industry leading companies. Specifically, the new affiliation establishes an economical, high-performing domestic supply of brominated powdered activated carbon from MWV Specialty Chemicals, while capitalizing on Albemarle's position as an established supplier of mercury control solutions as well as Albemarle's position as the largest bromine producer in North America. Under the terms of the alliance the two companies will jointly continue to develop brominated wood-based activated carbons for use in mercury control. "Albemarle and MWV Specialty Chemicals are both innovative leaders in creating viable emission solutions for industrial clients," said Sharon McGee, Albemarle divisional vice president of performance chemicals. "By combining our unique strengths, we will solidify our commitment of delivering a domestic, high performance, sustainable solution for mercury removal to our customers." Unlike other U.S. activated carbon producers, which make their sorbents from coal or lignite, MWV Specialty Chemicals manufactures its carbons from wood. The company's high quality activated carbons are used for the world's most challenging purification applications, such as the demanding global automotive industry. Through a joint development program, Albemarle and MWV Specialty Chemicals have developed economical methods to utilize this renewable feedstock for power plant mercury capture, which further establishes Albemarle's commitment to manufacturing sustainable products. "We are pleased to announce this cooperation between MWV Specialty Chemicals and Albemarle", said Bob Beckler, president of MWV Specialty Chemicals. "Our differentiated activated carbon technology, combined with Albemarle's leading position in mercury control technologies, will provide end-users with unique value in the growing mercury emissions control market." Albemarle Sorbent Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation, supplies specialty brominated carbon sorbents, as well as advanced sorbent injection systems and is recognized for its effectiveness in helping coal-fired power plants control mercury emissions. In addition, Albemarle Sorbent Technologies provides full-scale site-trial services to aid environmental and operations managers in developing long-term strategies for compliance with state and federal mercury regulations. About Albemarle Corporation Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics; petroleum and petrochemical processing; transportation and industrial products; pharmaceuticals; agricultural products; and construction and packaging materials. The Company operates in three business segments - Polymer Solutions, Catalysts and Fine Chemicals -- and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Learn more about Albemarle at: http://www.albemarle.com/. About MWV MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE:MWV), provides packaging solutions to many of the world's most-admired brands in the healthcare, beauty and personal care, food, beverage, media and entertainment, home and garden, tobacco, and commercial print industries. The company's businesses also include Consumer & Office Products, Specialty Chemicals, and the Community Development and Land Management Group, which sustainably manages the company's land holdings to support its operations, and to provide for conservation, recreation and development opportunities. With 21,000 employees worldwide, MWV operates in 30 countries and serves customers in more than 100 nations. MWV manages all of its forestlands in accordance with internationally recognized forest certification standards, and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the sixth consecutive year. For more information, please visit http://www.mwv.com/. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Albemarle Corporation's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050801/ALBEMARLELOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Albemarle Corporation CONTACT: Media: Stephanie Dixon, +1-225-388-7904, ; or Investor Relations Contact: Sandra Rodriguez, +1-225-388-7654, Web Site: http://www.albemarle.com/

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