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Koppers to Expand Capacity at Joint Venture in China
December 13, 2007 at 8:33 AM EST
PITTSBURGH, PA, Dec 13, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP) today announced the approval by the Board of Directors of Koppers (China) Carbon & Chemical Co., Ltd. (KCCC) of a project to expand the capacity of its existing tar distillation plant in Tangshan, China from 150,000 metric tons to 200,000 metric tons. The expansion, which is being constructed with Koppers valued partner Tangshan Iron and Steel Group Company, Limited ("TISCO"), is expected to increase primary carbon pitch volumes from 70,000 metric tons to 125,000 metric tons, an increase of approximately 80%, which is being driven by strong product demand. Along with Koppers other joint venture, Tangshan Koppers Kailuan Carbon Chemical Company Limited ("TKK"), total distillation capacity for Koppers joint ventures in China is estimated to be 500,000 metric tons by the end of 2008.

Koppers ownership interests are 60% for KCCC and 30% for TKK. Koppers will be responsible for all export sales for TKK. Koppers joint venture partners for TKK are Kailuan Clean Coal Co., Ltd. and TISCO.

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 and Chief Financial Officer
412 227 2153
Email Contact

SOURCE: Koppers Holdings Inc.