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27th May 2008
DDr. Haio Harms has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Management Board of Kelheim Fibres GmbH.

DDr. Haio Harms has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Management Board of Kelheim Fibres GmbH. He replaces Nikolaus Leendertz who has acted as the company's interim CEO since January 2008.
DDr. Haio Harms, born 1950, started his career in Austria in 1983 and has worked for Lenzing AG for 25 years, holding management positions in Asia (technical director, then CEO of the Lenzing subsidiary P.T. South Pacific Viscose) and in Austria (amongst others: Head of Strategic Planning Head of R&D, Head of Legal Services). Before taking the assignment in Kelheim, he held the position of an Executive Vice President.
DDr. Haio Harms has a thorough knowledge of the fibre industry throughout the world. He has international management experience and is known in the industry as a specialist for cellulose fibre technology.. The Supervisory Board expects that with the appointment of DDr. Haio Harms Kelheim Fibres GmbH will extend it’s position as one of the world’s leading producers of high quality and speciality viscose fibres.

09th January 2008
Lenzing Plastics acquires German fiber producer Dolan GmbH

Lenzing Plastics GmbH, the Lenzing Group's specialist for plastics niche products continues to grow dynamically: As of 31 December 2007 Dolan GmbH, a producer of specialty fibers based in Kelheim (Germany), became a full subsidiary of Lenzing Plastics. The acquired company generated sales of about EUR 25 mill. in 2007 and employs a staff of about 100. Dolan had previously been a full subsidiary of fiber producing company Kelheim Fibres GmbH, where Lenzing holds a 35% share. 

Dolan produces a range of applications based on acrylic fibers for outdoor products, in particular high quality textile home architecture (sunshades, small sunsails, cover fabrics for outdoor furniture and tops for convertibles and boats). Fibers by Dolan are highly photostatic and weather-proof, as well as highly resistant to wear and decomposition. Dolan, moreover, produces fibers for technical applications, such as waste gas filtration systems and reinforcements for friction linings and construction materials under the brand name Dolanit. 

"The acquisition of Dolan is the consistent continuation of Lenzing Plastics' dynamic expansion. Dolan perfectly complements the product portfolio of Lenzing Plastics, especially in outdoor products and filtration technology" says Thomas Fahnemann, chairman of Lenzing's management board, "within the course of a single year Lenzing Plastics has entered a new industrial dimension by acquisitions and greenfield projects – offering a future-oriented product portfolio in attractive niche markets". Under its new ownership Dolan will increase its investment in sales and marketing, as well as in the development of its product portfolio, utilizing the considerable potential for synergy with Lenzing Plastics. 

Lenzing Plastics in business year 2007 acquired specialty plastics products companies Hahl, Glassmaster and Pedex and started a joint venture for the production of carbon fiber precursor, with the German companies SGL-Carbon and Kelheim Fibres. Lenzing Plastics’ product portfolio now focuses on high-tech plastics fibers, specialty monofilaments and products for the construction industry. The recent acquisition increases the staff of Lenzing Plastics to about 930 in 6 locations in Europe and the USA. Sales for 2008 are expected to reach about EUR 190.0 mill.