Shanghai – For the second consecutive year, LANXESS, one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals company, will bring one of the best youth orchestras to China as part of the “LANXESS young.euro.classic China Tour 2008”. Following the highly successful concert series in 2007, the “young.euro.classic Festival Orchestra Germany-China”, featuring some of the most talented young musicians from Germany and China, will perform under the baton of the world-renowned Chinese conductor, maestro Tang Muhai, in Shanghai and Beijing on July 23 and July 25, respectively.

“We are very proud to support this unique concert tour, as it promotes cultural exchange between Germany and China and enriches the cultural landscape of both countries,” said Mr. Wang Yongli, president of LANXESS Greater China.

Serving as the artistic director and overseer of the German-Chinese Orchestra Project at young.euro.classic, maestro Tang Muhai is one of China’s most popular conductors. Headed by maestro Tang, the orchestra is comprised of promising young musicians from the Music Conservatory in Shanghai and Young German Philharmonic.

This year, the program of the LANXESS young.euro.classic China Tour combines classical compositions with works written specially by young composers. “I am extremely pleased to lead these talented students from Germany and China on the stage of the young.euro.classic Festival. Playing together during rehearsals and in concert provides everyone involved a priceless opportunity to share both musically and culturally. The tour will promote meaningful exchange among the young musicians from both nations,” said Tang.

“In China, our commitment goes beyond successful business interests and extends to cultural and educational sectors,” added Mr. Wang. “Classical music and chemistry are closely linked in that they both draw their strength from the same source: creativity and innovation. Sponsoring these musicians is proof of our ongoing efforts to promote young talent in our company and our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship in China.”

Today, China remains strategically important to LANXESS’s profitable growth throughout the world and accounted for 6% of the group’s global sales in 2007. Guided by the company’s “LANXESS goes Asia” strategy launched in 2006, the company is dedicated to sustainable, forward-looking development which sensibly combines the demands of economy, ecology and society through responsible care.

For example, LANXESS is dedicated to the development of Green Chemistry in China. “Delivering premium products for the welfare of humanity and contributing to the healthy conservation of the environment fulfill an important aspect of LANXESS’s corporate social responsibility,” said Mr. Wang.

In addition, every LANXESS employee assumes responsibility for the people living in the local community. When the devastating earthquake occurred in Southwest China on May 12, LANXESS China decided to financially support victims in the earthquake area. "Although there is no LANXESS site affected, we could not excuse ourselves from our duty to those affected by the disaster," emphasized Mr. Wang. This initiative was embraced wholeheartedly by employees in LANXESS China and in other countries. Within six days, voluntary donations by LANXESS’s offices worldwide had already exceeded RMB 1 million.

As a dedicated cultural envoy between Germany and China, LANXESS also endeavors to promote Chinese culture abroad. Today, being able to speak Chinese is regarded as a key skill for the future, one that is of particular interest to international groups. Currently, LANXESS is helping to fund Chinese language courses at Landrat Lucas High School in Leverkusen, Germany. With the support of LANXESS, the school plans to hire an additional Chinese teacher and purchase teaching materials.

young.euro.classic, established in Berlin back in the year 2000, has become a high-profile international young music festival. The musical focus of the concert program is on contemporary music. A typical young.euro.classic concert includes a symphonic highlight from the 19th or 20th centuries, a representative work from the featured country, and in very many cases either an international or German premiere of a new piece.

LANXESS is a leader in specialty chemicals with sales in 2007 of EUR 6.61 billion and currently around 15,200 employees in 21 countries. The company is represented at 44 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacture and sale of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.

Leverkusen,    July 21, 2008    

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by LANXESS AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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