Columbian announces Jae Sup Lee as new President and CEO

January 23, 2007

Columbian Chemicals Company, one of the world’s leading producers of carbon black, today announced it has appointed Jae Sup (JS) Lee to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Lee is already a member of the company’s Board of Directors and has served as interim President and CEO since late September.

“Carbon black manufacturers are facing significant challenges to become more responsive to our customers’ business needs, and I believe Columbian is the right company to address these challenges,” said Lee. “We are making the right changes to increase our efficiency; Columbian will be a different company but a better company in every regard. I am looking forward to leading the company as we further expand the operations globally.”

Lee is a seasoned executive with deep experience in the petrochemical industry. He joined Columbian in March 2006, as the Senior Vice President of Operations, bringing with him over 30 years of experience with DC Chemical Co., Ltd., where he held various position in manufacturing, planning and business development, research and technology, sales, and marketing. Most recently, he led DC Chemical's business including products such as coal tar chemicals, BTX, phthalic anhydride and carbon black, among others.

“JS Lee has the industry expertise to lead Columbian,” said Chairman of the Board, SooYoung Lee. “I am confident that Columbian will be not only be the fastest growing carbon black manufacturer but the best, highest-quality carbon black manufacturer in the world.”

Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Science in Industrial Management from Yonsei University in Seoul.

About Columbian:

Columbian Chemicals Co. is one of the world’s leading producers of carbon black – an engineered material that improves the strength, durability and overall performance of a range of products including tires and other mechanical rubber goods, as well as inks, paints, plastics and coatings. The company is the only major global carbon black manufacturer to have earned the ISO 14001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for environmental management, at all of its manufacturing facilities. Based in Marietta, Georgia, Columbian Chemicals Co. owns and operates 11 carbon black manufacturing facilities in Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Korea, Spain and the United States, employing about 1,300 people worldwide.

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