9 November 2005

INEOS ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO PURCHASE SALT UNION'S VACUUM SALT BUSINESS AT RUNCORN, CHESHIRE

INEOS Enterprises has today announced its intention to purchase Salt Union's vacuum salt business at Runcorn, Cheshire.

The proposed sale is subject to further discussions during a period of exclusivity. If agreed, it will involve the takeover by INEOS Enterprises of the 850,000 tonne per annum vacuum salt plant at Weston Point in Cheshire. The plant employs around 100 people who will transfer upon conclusion of the deal to INEOS Enterprises.

The deal will be financed with the support of Bank of Scotland Corporate's Liverpool Team. Alastair Donald, Director of Bank of Scotland Corporate in Liverpool, said: "With a strong track record and an experienced management team, INEOS Enterprises is well placed to drive forward the future success of Salt Union's vacuum salt business."

Salt Union's vacuum salt products include:
- undried vacuum salt: a key raw material in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda;
- pure dried vacuum salt: an important ingredient for the food industry as well as for processes ranging from shampoo manufacture to animal nutrition and water treatment;
- granular and white tablet salt for water softening;
- packed de-icing salts.

Chris Tane, INEOS Enterprises CEO comments: "The vacuum salt business is a close fit with the brine business in the INEOS Enterprises portfolio. Combining the two businesses will have big benefits for both - strengthening the competitiveness of the vacuum salt business at the same time as securing a key outlet for brine."

Salt Union will continue to operate its extensive rock salt business from the Winsford Mine in Cheshire together with the Minosus joint venture that includes the document storage business Deepstore.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. INEOS Enterprises is one of the companies in the INEOS family. With the recently announced acquisition of Innovene, INEOS is now the 4th largest independent petrochemicals company in the world.
2. INEOS Enterprises is a portfolio of six leading businesses manufacturing chemicals and electrochemical technology products in Northern Europe, with sales of these products to customers around the world.
3. The Company is focused on the developing needs of customers and rapid growth through investment in new products and manufacturing facilities or by acquisition.
4. Our UK Brine & Water business is growing through major investment to support expansion of our key customers and new activities.
5. INEOS Enterprises is the number one producer of sulphur chemical products in the UK and a global leader in the field of electrochemical technology licensing and fuel cells.
6. At our sites in France, Germany and Thailand we manufacture a range of plasticisers, lubricants and chlor-alkali products.
7. The company currently employs around 450 people worldwide and has an annual turnover of around Euros 200 million.
   

For further information please contact the INEOS Enterprises Press Office:

Craig Welsh
Telephone: 01928 511528
Fax: 01928 569459
Email: craig.welsh@ineoschlor.com