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Henkel Aquence(TM) Coating Systems Meets Challenging California Environmental Standards

Henkel's Aquence(TM) coating is an innovative autodeposition coating process that provides a 40 percent reduction in production-area footprint, improves paint shop flexibility, decreases energy consumptions, and eliminates heavy metal sludge. Aquence(TM) 930 performs similarly to traditional primer coat applications in OEM cyclic corrosion tests, and provides excellent thermal stability, top-coat ability and flexibility compared to other coating applications. It is "best-in-class" in environmental and footprint benefits and offers almost no volatile organic compounds (VOC) while reducing hazardous air pollutants.

Thule Towing Systems, the industry leader in delivering transportation and towing solutions, will use the new Aquence(TM) 930 coating system as a pretreatment replacement for itsLodi, Calif. facility. Thule will manufacture and coat towing systems for its current automotive OEM towing applications. In addition, Thule Towing System will use the Aquence(TM) 930 and a powder topcoat application on its aftermarket products, which includes a complete line of professional quality trailer hitches.

"The addition of Henkel's environmentally responsible coating system allows us to expand our capabilities and provide added value to our customers," said Anders Nordin, vice president of marketing, Thule Towing Systems. "The coating system meets the most demanding automotive OEM requirements for corrosion and performance."

"This is a significant breakthrough for Henkel's sustainability efforts and for our commitment to decreasing energy consumption," said Dan Wohletz, vice president, automotiveNorth America, Henkel. "Our customers will be able to expand their presence inCalifornia by using Aquence(TM) 930 as an environmentally responsible coating solution that improves production capabilities and increases production flexibility."

For more information on Henkel automotive capabilities, please visit www.henkelna.com/automotive or call 1.866.332.7024.

Henkel is the market leader in adhesives, sealants and surface treatments to the transportation industry. Backed by extensive design capabilities, a broad product range, specific application knowledge and technical expertise, the company delivers solutions to all segments of automotive development - automotive body, interior, chassis, electronics and powertrain production. Through powerful brands like Loctite(R), Teroson(R), Aquence(TM), Bonderite(R), Frekote(R) and Multan(TM), Henkel provides significant economic and environmental advantages for today's vehicles, making them safer, more comfortable and extending vehicle value.

For more than 130 years, Henkel has been a leader with brands and technologies that make people's lives easier, better, and more beautiful. Henkel operates in three business areas -- Home Care, Personal Care, and Adhesives Technologies -- and ranks among the Fortune Global 500 companies. In fiscal 2007, Henkel generated sales of $19.218 billion and operating profit of $1.975 billion. Our 53,000 employees worldwide are dedicated to fulfilling our corporate claim, "A Brand like a Friend," and ensuring that people in more than 125 countries can trust in brands and technologies from Henkel.

SOURCE Henkel North America