MONHEIM, Germany - Cognis is working with the IMCD Group, one of Europe's leading specialty chemicals distribution companies, to establish a joint distribution network for Cognis' ingredients for the paint and coatings industry.

Effective January 1, 2006, three subsidiaries of the IMCD Group - Interorgana GmbH & Co. KG (based in Cologne, Germany), Internatio B.V. (based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and IMCD Austria GmbH (based in Vienna, Austria) - will be responsible for the distribution of Cognis' raw ingredient products in Germany, Austria and the Benelux countries, with other countries to be added to the new network in due course.