Cristal Global Announces TiO2 Price Increases

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA and HUNT VALLEY, MD USA (Wednesday, July 8, 2009) - Cristal Global (Cristal) announced today that it will increase prices on all of its anatase and rutile Tiona® and Cristal titanium dioxide (TiO2) products sold in North America and Brazil.

• In North America: Effective August 1, 2009, or as permitted by contract, prices for all Tiona® and Cristal titanium dioxide (TiO2) products will increase by US three (3) cents per pound (USD).This increase is in addition to the previous announcement of a two (2) cent per pound increase for the same date
• In Brazil: Effective August 1, 2009, or as permitted by contract, prices for all Tiona® and Cristal titanium dioxide (TiO2) products will increase up to US$150 per metric tonne. This is in addition to the previous announcement of US$100 per metric tonne announced for July 1.

"After a brief period of improved profitability last year, margins have returned to very low levels at a time when demand is improving and some modest investment is needed to return assets to full capability," said John Hall, Vice President --Commercial.