30/11/2006

Inco and Süd-Chemie establish joint venture for development of diesel emission control materials and catalysts

Inco Limited (Inco), a leading nickel and nickel specialties producer based 
in Toronto, Canada, and Süd-Chemie AG, Munich, Germany (Süd-Chemie), a 
leading supplier of catalysts for the chemicals and refining industry and 
for environmental applications, have agreed to establish a joint venture 
company for the production and marketing of catalyzed diesel emission 
control materials for the automotive industry. Equity interests in the new 
company, which will be named Alantum, will be divided equally between Inco 
ECM GmbH, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Inco Limited, and Süd-
Chemie. 

Alantum will concentrate initially on diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and 
diesel particulate filter (DPF) applications for European passenger car and 
light truck markets. Production will take place in a new facility at Süd 
Chemie’s Heufeld site in Germany. Commercial scale production is expected to 
begin in 2008. 

The technologies brought into the joint venture by each of the parents are 
highly complementary. Süd-Chemie brings in its depth of knowledge in 
catalysis, while Inco will provide its new alloy foam substrate and 
extensive metals processing technology. This new generation of catalyzed 
substrates for emission control products offers considerable benefits 
compared to traditional catalyzed ceramic substrates. 

The introduction of increasingly stringent regulations for exhaust emissions 
in Europe offers an outstanding opportunity for growth. In setting up the 
joint venture, the two companies aim to fully participate in that growth, 
based on this unique offering to the automotive industry. 

Peter Goudie, Inco’s Executive Vice-President Marketing, commented: “Inco is 
delighted to enter into this partnership with Süd-Chemie, a recognized 
leader in catalyst products. We view this as an exciting application for our 
nickel foam technology and an important technology breakthrough in catalyzed 
diesel emission control, with significant value-creation potential. Our two 
companies, the automotive industry and the environment will all benefit from 
this partnership.” 

Dr. Hans Jürgen Wernicke, Member of the Managing Board of Süd-Chemie AG, 
said: “This project is of high strategic importance for Süd-Chemie. We are a 
global leader in catalyst technology and intend to gain a similar position 
in the rapidly growing market for diesel exhaust gas catalysts. We are proud 
to work with Inco, the world’s leading nickel technology company, in 
reaching this goal.“ 

Munich and Toronto, 30 November 2006

Enquiries to:

Süd-Chemie AG
Jochen Orlowski
Corporate Public Relations
Tel. +49-(0)89-5110-247
Fax +49-(0)89-5110-302


Inco Limited
Steve Mitchell
Corporate Public Affairs
Tel. +1 416-361-7950
Fax +1 416-361-7736



Süd-Chemie AG (www.sud-chemie.com) is a publicly quoted (Security 
Identification Number (WKN): 729 200), independent specialty chemical 
company headquartered in Munich/Germany and operating on a worldwide scale. 
Key markets served by its Adsorbents Division include the consumer-goods, 
packaging and foundry industries, as well as the paper and plastics 
industries. Products manufactured by the Catalysts Division offer solutions 
for water treatment, petrochemicals processing, energy storage and hydrogen 
production, as well as off-gas purification. The common denominator of all 
its products and innovations is the efficient and sparing use of natural 
resources to enhance the quality of life for humans and the environment. The 
Süd-Chemie Group generated sales of €933 million in 2005, almost 80% of 
these outside Germany. Süd-Chemie Group had some 5,000 employees at 65 sales 
and production sites worldwide in mid 2006. 


Inco Limited (www.inco.com) is one of the world’s premier mining and metals 
companies and the world’s second largest producer of nickel. Inco is also an 
important producer of copper, cobalt and precious metals and a major 
producer of value-added specialty nickel products. On October 24, 2006, the 
Brazilian-based mining and metals company Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) 
obtained control of Inco Limited.