Cookson is a leading materials science company operating on a worldwide basis in Ceramics, Electronics and Precious Metals markets. We aim to add value to our customers' businesses by providing products, processes and services that allow them to increase the efficiency and quality of their operations. Throughout the world, Cookson companies supply leading technology, supported by outstanding technical service. Cookson employs over 17,000 people in more than 35 countries, selling its products in over 100 countries.

Directors
Chief Executive – Nick Salmon
Finance Director – Mike Butterworth

Trading under the brand names Vesuvius and Foseco, the Ceramics division is the world leader in the supply of advanced consumable products and systems to the global steel and foundry industries and a leading supplier of speciality products to the glass and solar industries.
Revenue by End Market (2007) Steel: 53%, Foundry: 35%, Industrial: 8%, Glass & Solar: 4%

The Electronics division is a world leading supplier of advanced surface treatment and plating chemicals and assembly materials to the automotive, construction and electronics markets.
Revenue by End Market (2007) Electronics: 67%, Industrial & Automotive 33%

The Precious Metals division is a leading supplier of fabricated precious metals (primarily gold, silver and platinum) to the jewellery industry in the US, UK, France and Spain. Products include alloy materials, semi-finished jewellery components and finished jewellery.
Revenue by End Market (2007) US Jewellery: 53%, European Jewellery: 47%

• Further strong improvement in performance:
• Revenue of £1,058m, up 26%*
• Trading profit of £113m, up 30%*
• Return on sales up 0.7 percentage points to 10.7%
• Significant growth in Ceramics including a better than expected contribution from Foseco, acquired 4 April 2008. Ceramics now represents over 75% of Group tradng profit
• Foseco integration proceeding well with synergy savings reconfirmed
• Electronics maintaining its performance at 2007 levels; Precious Metals remaining profitable
• Headline PBT and EPS up 45% and 32% respectively
• Interim dividend of 5.85 pence per share, up 38%

* At constant currency

H1 2008 Key Financials

H1 2008 Group Trading Profit (incl Foseco pro-forma)
Ceramics: 76% Electronics: 22% Precious Metals: 2%

2007 Revenue by Location (incl Foseco pro-forma)
Europe: 37% NAFTA: 27% RoW: 9% Asia-Pacific: 27%

Cookson Group plc
165 Fleet Street
London EC4A 2AE

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7822 0000
Fax: +44 (0)20 7822 0100
Email: info@cookson.co.uk