Media Releases Financial Reports Presen-tations 08/18/1998       At the Valais Works in Visp, Switzerland, Lonza put its sixth production plant (FC-6) of the Fine Chemicals Complex (FCC) into operation. The new facility expands capacity for the manufacture of chemical intermediates and active ingredients produced exclusively for leading pharmaceutical and agrochemical companies. The investment for the new multi-purpose plant comes to CHF 35 million. For the first time, the plant's design was based on a modular concept. Basel/Visp, August 18, 1998 - The new FC-6 multi-purpose plant came on stream a little earlier than planned after almost 18 months' construction. The last of six facilities, it completes the phase-wise expansion of the Visp Fine Chemicals Complex, which was purpose-designed for the rapidly growing exclusive synthesis business. On the strength of this investment, Lonza can further increase its plant capacity and flexibility for products with a high added-value component. The new plant consists entirely of acid-resistant elements. The modular design (the first of its kind) makes it possible to use individual components flexibly (e.g. thin film evaporators, filtration units), even for the adjacent FC-5 facility. One of the main reactor vessels can perform reactions at temperatures as low as -50°C enabling Lonza to expand its offering in the low-temperature segment. The first products from the new plant are an intermediate for the manufacture of a drug to lower blood pressure and an active ingredient for the production of an AIDS medication. The output of the six FCC facilities averages out at around CHF 300 million per annum. The FC-6 creates 20-25 new jobs, not to mention a big gain in productivity. The systematic development of the exclusive manufacturing business (our motto is "Leave it to Lonza") has been a huge success in recent years. Lonza has succeeded in establishing partnerships with world-leading pharmaceutical and agrochemical companies and signing long-term contracts for exclusive syntheses. The key to Lonza's success is its powerful research and development program, its broad technology base, its ability to handle complex projects and its integrated environmental protection and waste disposal systems. The Fine Chemicals and Specialties division (known by the name Lonza) of the Alusuisse- Lonza Group develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of fine chemicals, intermediates and specialty chemicals. Lonza is a world leader in the field of exclusive syntheses for leading life science companies. The division has 11 production sites in the USA, Switzerland, the UK, the Czech Republic and China and employs some 4,000 people. Sales in 1997 were over 1.4 billion Swiss francs. For further information please contact Claudia Bonge Phone: +41 27 948 5575 Fax: +41 27 947 5575 E-mail: claudia.bonge@lonzagroup.com