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H.C. Stark Press Release

http://tinyurl.com/5cqn5y

Tuesday - 2008/05/06

Newton, MA, May 06, 2008
H.C. Starck Inc.’s Fabricated Products (“FPR”) Division announces higher refractory metal prices

H.C. Starck Inc.’s Fabricated Products (“FPR”) Division is notifying customers worldwide of a double digit price increase for molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum and niobium metals effective immediately or as contracts permit.

The substantial increase in demand for molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, and tantalum, including from emerging markets such as China and the global consumer electronics market has resulted in a sustained increase in the cost of raw materials. These market conditions for refractory metals are increasingly projected to be secular, not cyclical. This means that pricing pressures will be sustained and likely increase. In addition to the cost of molybdenum, tantalum, niobium, and tungsten, prices of other commodities, such as energy, significantly affects FPR including, for example, in production and transportation.

“H.C. Starck Inc. thus far has absorbed all of these macro economic based cost increases, said Andrew Towey, Vice President of Global Marketing for FPR. Unfortunately the prevailing market conditions have reached a point where H.C. Starck must recoup some of these costs.”

About H.C. Starck
H.C. Starck is an international group of companies with more than 3,400 employees at production sites in Europe, North America and the Far East. Widely known for its technology in refractory metals, ceramics, and chemicals for the electronic, semiconductor, and optical industries, H.C. Starck is owned by Advent & Carlyle.

Contact:
Andrew Towey
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]