Avantor Performance Materials to Acquire POCH S.A. From Kulczyk Holding

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2011) - Avantor™ Performance Materials announced a definitive agreement to acquire POCH S.A. from Kulczyk. Completion of the sale is dependent on obtaining the necessary clearance from the Polish competition authority, and is subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Avantor Performance Materials, formerly Mallinckrodt Baker, manufactures and markets high-performance chemistries and materials around the world under several well respected brand names, including the J.T.Baker^®, Macron™, Rankem™ and Diagnova™ brands. Avantor products are used in a wide range of industries including biotechnology and pharmaceutical production; electronics and photovoltaic manufacturing; and in research, academic and quality control laboratories. The company is owned by an affiliate of private equity firm New Mountain Capital.

Based in Poland, POCH S.A. manufactures products designed for use in classic and instrumental analysis, filtration and microbiology. POCH S.A. also sells laboratory equipment and laboratory glass. Moreover, POCH S.A. also manufactures solvents for liquid and gas chromatography and spectroscopy as well as anhydrous solvents. Its markets include pharmaceuticals; food and feed; chemical and petrochemical; environmental protection and research and analytical chemistry.

"The transaction is part of Avantor's strategy to strengthen its presence in the global market by growing both organically and through acquisition, expanding into new markets and geographies," said Avantor President and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Gilson. "POCH fits this strategy because of its established and expansive manufacturing presence and distribution channel in Poland and Eastern Europe."

"This acquisition will allow for synergies in market and production know-how and enrichment of the combined product portfolio, significantly increasing the level of expertise dedicated to various industry sectors," said POCH S.A. Chief Executive Officer Jarosław Bieszczad. "It will also enhance the competitive standing of POCH, enabling us to offer the high-quality Avantor product lines to our customers, while also giving us new markets for our products through the global Avantor organization."

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP and Wardynski & Partners acted as legal advisors to Avantor and New Mountain Capital.

DC Advisory Partners acted as the sole financial advisor and Clifford Chance as legal advisor to Kulczyk Holding.

Visit www.avantormaterials.com or http://www.english.poch.com.pl/ for more information.

About Avantor™ Performance Materials -- formerly Mallinckrodt Baker
Avantor Performance Materials manufactures and markets high-performance chemistries and materials around the world under several respected brand names, including the J.T.Baker^®, Macron™, Rankem™ and Diagnova™ brands.

Avantor products are used in a wide range of industries. Our biomedical and life science solutions are used in academic, industry and quality control laboratories for research, pharmaceutical production and medical lab testing, while our electronics solutions are used in the manufacturing of semiconductors, photovoltaic cells and flat panel displays. Based in Phillipsburg, New Jersey (USA), Avantor is owned by an affiliate of New Mountain Capital, LLC. For additional information please visit www.avantormaterials.com or follow www.twitter.com/avantor_news.

About New Mountain Capital
New Mountain Capital is a New York-based private equity firm investing for long-term capital appreciation through direct investment in growth equity transactions, leveraged acquisitions, and management buyouts. The Firm currently manages private and public equity funds with approximately $9 billion in aggregate capital commitments. New Mountain seeks out the highest-quality growth leaders in carefully selected industry sectors and then works intensively with management to build the value of these companies. For more information on New Mountain Capital, please visit www.newmountaincapital.com.

About POCH S.A.
POCH S.A. is a leading and innovative supplier of professional chemicals, equipment and analytic services, innovative solutions, as well as a Polish manufacturer of solvents. Our offering is directed towards a wide range of industrial trades, for example: pharmaceutical, food, chemical or research laboratories, and covers high quality products as well as professional services.

Products designed for use in classic and instrumental analysis, filtration and microbiology. POCH S.A. also sells laboratory equipment and laboratory glass. Moreover, POCH S.A. also manufactures high purity solvents for liquid and gas chromatography, and spectroscopy as well as anhydrous solvents. For more information on POCH S.A., please visit www.poch.pl.

About Kulczyk Holding
Kulczyk Holding is an international investment company, focused on the creation of investment opportunities in global emerging markets. The company's chosen strategic industries are oil and gas; mineral resources; infrastructure; power generation, as well as power and gas distribution and trading. It holds significant assets in the real estate, brewing and automotive industries. For more information, please visit http://www.kulczykinvestments.com/.

Trademarks are owned by Avantor Performance Materials, Inc. or its affiliates unless otherwise noted. © 2011 Avantor Performance Materials, Inc.