Albemarle's New 'Go-Ultra™' Catalyst Significantly Boosts Gasoline Yields

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WASHINGTON, DC UNITED STATES

Powerful New FCC Catalyst Dramatically Improves Naphtha Yields While Reducing Coke

Baton Rouge, LA /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Albemarle Corporation, (NYSE: ALB) www.albemarle.com, a global leader in developing innovative specialty chemicals, catalysts and sustainable clean energy solutions, has launched the latest addition to their leading portfolio of refining products and technologies.

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"GO-ULTRA" is the first fluid catalytic cracking ("FCC") product to be offered from the company's newest manufacturing technology process known as "ONYX." GO-ULTRA is a powerful new catalyst specifically designed for application to gas oil feeds to increase naphtha yields by as much as 3% while significantly reducing coke, a critical advantage for refiners. Further, this comprehensive refining solution can deliver these results while also providing a marked improvement in bottoms cracking capabilities.

The company's new ONYX technology involves a unique manufacturing process which results in enhanced pore structure and optimized active site distribution. The innovative catalyst technology utilizes a novel matrix composition that is also being explored for potential use in other market segments. Distinctly different from Albemarle's leading JADETM and TOPAZTM platforms, ONYX further expands the company's respected technology portfolio.

"GO-ULTRA, our newest technology solution for the gas oil market, provides impressive benefits to refiners," said Scott A. Martin, vice president of Albemarle's FCC group. "We are excited to introduce this potent new catalyst which will deliver higher value and, in turn, increase Albemarle's presence in this important sector of the industry."

"Our intense focus on innovation leadership continues to gain momentum and pay significant dividends for our clients," said John J. Nicols, vice president of Albemarle's Catalysts group. "Our powerful new ONYX technology platform and GO-ULTRA catalyst represent our most recent value-added refining solutions and further demonstrate Albemarle's pursuit of turnkey technologies that position our clients for sustained success."

About Albemarle Corporation

Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered and innovative specialty chemicals for consumer electronics; petroleum and petrochemical processing; transportation and industrial products; pharmaceuticals; agricultural products; and construction and packaging materials. The Company operates in three diverse business segments-Polymer Solutions, Catalysts and Fine Chemicals-and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Learn more about Albemarle at www.albemarle.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Albemarle Corporation's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

SOURCE Albemarle Corporation

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