MUTTENZ. SCHWEIZ, -- (10/03/2005; 0900)(EIS) -- Clariant and Starfire Systems, Inc., a world leader in polymer-derived, nanostructured ceramics located in Malta, New York, announced a broad-based strategic alliance to develop new technology and new applications in the promising field of nanostructured ceramic materials and coatings.
Targeted industries include automotive, aerospace, and microelectronics, Clariant has completed a financial investment in Starfire as part of their agreement.

Starfire has demonstrated the advantages of their nanostructured ceramics in the motorcycle and automobile industry by developing brakes that provide superior performance at a fraction of the weight of conventional metal brakes. Recently, Starfire materials were successfully tested by astronauts on a spacewalk during the July U.S.
Space Shuttle Discovery mission as a key component in the heat shield repair kit. Starfire nanostructured polymers and ceramics are also finding applications in the chemical process industries and can be used in the manufacture of semiconductor chips, coating systems, high temperature filters and handling of corrosive materials.

Clariant is a global leader in specialty chemicals such as multifunctional polysilazane-based coatings offering leading edge technology driven by innovative solutions. Clariant brings their global marketing reach, process expertise and production capacity to the partnership. The companies expect to uncover attractive new opportunities by combining Clariant's expertise in polysilazanes with Starfire's polycarbosilane based materials.

Starfire Systems President and CEO, Richard Saburro, commented on the agreement, "Clariant provides us with resources and market access to rapidly deploy our technology in key industries worldwide. They maintain strong relationships in the automotive and electronic industries and are a global leader in silane-based polymer technology that we expect will extend the temperature range of our materials and open up exciting new applications and markets. We are very pleased to announce this important partnership."

Hubert Liebe, Head of New Business Development at Clariant, commented, "High performance ceramics have been sought by industry for a long time but have been too costly with current technology and manufacturing methods. We look forward to working with the Starfire team to offer a new generation of high value products based on practical, high performance, nanostructured ceramics and coatings."

Clariant Investor Relations:
Phone: +41 61 469 67 48
Fax: +41 61 469 67 67
Holger Schimanke - Phone: +41 61 469 67 45 Fabian Hildbrand - Phone: +41 61 469 67 49

Clariant Media Relations:
Fax: +41 61 469 65 66
Walter Vaterlaus - Phone: +41 61 469 61 58 Rainer Weihofen - Phone: +41 61 469 67 42

Starfire Systems Inc.
Phone: +1 518 899 93 36
Richard Saburro - Phone: +1 518 899 93 36 Herb Armstrong - Phone: +1 518 899 93 36

Clariant - Exactly your chemistry.

Clariant is a global leader in the field of specialty chemicals.
Strong business relationships, commitment to outstanding service and wide-ranging application know-how make Clariant a preferred partner for its customers.

Clariant, which is represented on five continents with over 100 group companies, employs about 25,000 people. Headquartered in Muttenz near Basel, it generated sales of around CHF 8.5 billion in 2004.

Clariant's businesses are organized in five divisions: Textile, Leather & Paper Chemicals, Pigments & Additives, Functional Chemicals, Life Science Chemicals and Masterbatches.

Clariant is committed to sustainable growth springing from its own innovative strength. Clariant's innovative products play a key role in its customers' manufacturing and treatment processes or else add value to their end products. The company's success is based on the know-how of its people and their ability to identify new customer needs at an early stage and to work together with customers to develop innovative, efficient solutions. www.clariant.com

Starfire Systems

Starfire Systems, Inc. offers a wide range of patented silicon carbide
(SiC) ceramic forming polymers and material systems that companies use to meet performance and cost targets where high temperature, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and weight are requirements that must be met. www.starfiresystems.com