Elgin, Illinois, September 30, 2004— DSM Desotech Inc., a world leader in the development and supply of high performance UV-curable materials, has been named one of America's Safest Companies by Occupational Hazards magazine, the nation's leading magazine of safety, health and loss prevention.  The annual award recognizes companies for outstanding occupational safety and health programs and processes for their employees.

"The 16 companies chosen as America's Safest Companies 2004 recognize both the intrinsic value of occupational safety and health and the business advantages that it provides in terms of increased profit, productivity, quality and morale," said Stephen Minter, editor of Occupational Hazards magazine.  "These companies share a conviction that workplace safety and health can be managed just like other business functions, and that the companies that manage it best reap substantial advantage over their competitors."

DSM Desotech President Steve Hartig said, "Safety is a top priority within DSM Desotech, and throughout all DSM companies worldwide, for a number of reasons:  First and foremost, for the well being of our associates, second for the communities which surround our facilities and, third, for our shareholders—as we believe that efforts and investments in safety bring an excellent return.”  

DSM Desotech Inc. is comprised of three U.S. facilities:  an Elgin, Illinois headquarters and Research & Development facility, a manufacturing facility in Stanley, North Carolina, and a subsidiary company, DSM Somos, in New Castle, Delaware.  Together, these sites represent more than 10,000 man days without a lost time accident.  Desotech also operates facilities outside the U.S. in the Netherlands, China and Japan.

In addition to being named one of America's safest companies, DSM Desotech's outstanding safety record has also resulted in seven consecutive nominations for the global DSM Safety Award, presented annually to one of more than 200 DSM companies worldwide.  Desotech's Elgin site won the award in 1999 and the Desotech Stanley site was named runner up in 2003.

Occupational Hazards magazine selects the list of America's Safest Companies based on recommendations by industry professionals, recognition by industry associations, participation in programs such as OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program, state and local awards, and Occupational Hazards' research into the occupational health and safety philosophy and programs of the company.  All 16 companies named will be profiled in the October issue of Occupational Hazards magazine.