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Koppers Completes Construction Projects in China
May 1, 2009 at 8:37 AM EDT
PITTSBURGH, PA, May 01, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP) today announced the completion of construction and commissioning of a 300,000 metric ton capacity tar distillation plant for its new 30% owned joint venture in Hebei Province, China, known as Tangshan Koppers Kailuan Carbon Chemical Company Limited ("TKK"), as well as the completion of a project to expand the capacity of its existing 60% owned tar distillation plant in Tangshan, China, known as Koppers (China) Carbon and Chemical Co., Ltd. ("KCCC"), from 150,000 metric tons to 200,000 metric tons. Koppers provided the technology and the commissioning teams for both projects. This expansion of capacity is intended to meet the anticipated increasing demand for high-quality vacuum distilled pitch required by the aluminum and graphite industries in China and various export markets including the Middle East, India, Russia, South Africa, Australasia and the Americas.

Walter W. Turner, President and CEO of Koppers, said, "We are pleased that the construction and commissioning of TKK and the expansion of KCCC have been completed, and we are excited about the additional production that will result from the completion of these projects. We believe that this added capacity will further enhance our abilities not only as a global supplier to the aluminum industry but also increase our footprint in the growing domestic Chinese markets."

About Koppers

Koppers, with corporate headquarters and a research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a global integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products. Including its joint ventures, Koppers operates facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia and China. The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KOP." For more information, visit us on the Web: www.koppers.com. Questions concerning investor relations should be directed to Brian H. McCurrie at 412 227 2153 or Michael W. Snyder at 412 227 2131.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Koppers, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which the Company does business; competitive pressures; the loss of one or more key customer or supplier relationships; customer insolvencies; successful integration of structural changes, including restructuring plans, acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; cost and availability of raw materials; and other economic, business, competitive, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting the business of Koppers generally.

For Information:
Brian H. McCurrie
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
412 227 2153
Email Contact


SOURCE: Koppers Holdings Inc.

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