Umicore, Unions Renew Sustainable Development Agreement

Online, September 9, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Umicore and the International Union Federations recently renewed their International Sustainable Development Agreement covering human rights (including collective bargaining and equal opportunities), working conditions and environmental considerations.

Umicore and representatives of the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF) and the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General workers' Unions (ICEM), and their affiliated trade unions, re-signed the agreement. The IMF and ICEM together represent some 45 million workers in 130 countries. All parties have participated in a process of constructive dialogue to ensure successful implementation of the agreement.

Umicore, whose Building Products USA division is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, is one of approximately 100 companies worldwide to have signed such an agreement. Umicore was also the first Belgian-based company to do so in 2007.

Umicore's Senior Vice-President for Human Resources, Ignace de Ruijter, commented: "This agreement supports Umicore's global vision on social issues and reflects our diversity and international presence. It will help us in our journey towards sustainability and in being considered a great place to work."

Jyrki Raina, Secretary General of the International Metalworkers' Federation added: "We believe that this agreement offers benefits for all stakeholders. All parties have benefited from the constructive relationship fostered by the original agreement and we look forward to this continuing in the coming years."

For more information on Umicore visit www.umicore.com.

About Umicore:

Umicore is a global materials technology group. It focuses on application areas where its expertise in materials science, chemistry and metallurgy makes a real difference. Its activities are centered on four business areas: Catalysis, Energy Materials, Performance Materials and Recycling. Each business area is divided into market-focused business units offering materials and solutions that are at the cutting edge of new technological developments and essential to everyday life.

Umicore generates the majority of its revenues and dedicates most of its research and development efforts to clean technologies, such as emission control catalysts, materials for rechargeable batteries and photovoltaics, fuel cells, and recycling. Umicore's overriding goal of sustainable value creation is based on an ambition to develop, produce, and recycle materials in a way that fulfills its mission: materials for a better life.

The Umicore Group has industrial operations on all continents and serves a global customer base. It generated a turnover of 9.7 billion Euros (2.0 billion Euros excluding metal) in 2010 and currently employs over 15,000 people. For more information: www.umicore.com.