CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Albemarle
Corporation (NYSE: ALB) announced today that it's wholly owned
subsidiary, Rockwood Lithium Ltda., and Sociedad Química y Minera
de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B,
SQM-A) have reached an agreement to work together to safeguard the
ecosystem in the Salar de Atacama.
Specifically, this joint effort will involve the development of
a coordinated and informed environmental administration with the
goal to protect the sensitive systems in the Salar de Atacama.
These efforts will be executed through the implementation of common
technical tools to further enrich the knowledge of this ecosystem.
As part of this agreement, SQM has agreed that it will not pursue
its complaints against Rockwood Lithium Ltda.'s environmental
approval RCA 21/2016, which approved the increase in brine
extraction rates for expansion of battery grade lithium carbonate
production.
"At Rockwood Lithium we have always stated that the future of
local business should be based on a collaborative model among the
Government, private entities and local communities. This agreement
focuses on a sustainable operation of the Salar de Atacama that
considers the highest standards while looking towards the future,"
said Stephen Elgueta, Country
Manager of Rockwood Lithium Ltda.
Patricio de Solminihac, CEO of
SQM also commented: "We have always strived to achieve the highest
standards in our operations in order to protect the surrounding
areas from an environment standpoint. This agreement with Rockwood
Lithium Ltda. will enable us to be more effective in our ongoing
efforts to achieve these high standards at the Salar de Atacama
operations and, at the same time, to be confident that these
operations are being developed with the necessary care for the
environment."
About Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is a global specialty chemicals
company with leading positions in lithium, bromine, refining
catalysts and applied surface treatments. We power the potential of
companies in many of the world's largest and most critical
industries, from energy and communications to aerospace and
electronics. Working side-by-side with our customers, we
develop value-added, customized solutions that make them more
competitive. Our solutions combine the finest technology and
ingredients with the knowledge and know-how of our highly
experienced and talented team of operators, scientists and
engineers.
Discovering and implementing new and better performance-based
sustainable solutions is what motivates all of us. We think beyond
business-as-usual to drive innovations that create lasting value.
Albemarle employs approximately
6,900 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.
We regularly post information to www.albemarle.com, including
notification of events, news, financial performance, investor
presentations and webcasts, non-GAAP reconciliations, SEC filings
and other information regarding our company, its businesses and the
markets it serves.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding
Albemarle Corporation's business that are not historical facts are
"forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties.
For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause
actual results to differ from those contained in the
forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111129/MM14279LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sustainability-of-the-salar-de-atacama-will-be-safeguarded-by-a-joint-effort-between-sqm-and-albemarle-300302231.html
SOURCE Albemarle Corporation