Chicago/Germany, October 29, 2008 - Baker & McKenzie LLP advised Süd-Chemie AG on its acquisition of the Hi-Tech ceramic filters business of Vesuvius USA Corporation and the Cookson Group plc.

A definitive acquisition agreement was signed on October 17, 2008 whereby Süd-Chemie agreed to acquire substantially all of the Hi-Tech assets.  Süd-Chemie is a leading global specialty chemicals company for adsorbents and catalysts.  The disposition of the Hi-Tech filters business was required by the European Commission as a condition to its approval of the acquisition of Foseco plc by Cookson Group plc.  The transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals including the approval of the European Commission.

The Baker & McKenzie team on this cross-border transaction was led by corporate and securities Partner Dieter Schmitz and Andre Fiebig in Chicago. The internal legal team at Süd-Chemie was headed by Dr. Jesko Kornemann.