EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG: Sale of Treasury Shares to EMESTA HOLDING AG

After close of trading today, February 15, 2010, the EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG sold 1,015,117 treasury shares, corresponding to a shareholding of 4.34% in EMS, to the main shareholder EMESTA HOLDING AG. The sales price was CHF 127.10 per share, which corresponds to today's closing price published by the SIX Exchange AG. The overall value of the packet amounted to CHF 129 million.

EMS had purchased the shares to secure a convertible bond with maturity date as of July 25, 2008. After maturity of the bond the purpose for holding the shares was no longer given so that the Board of Directors of EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG has now decided to sell these shares. Within the framework of this transaction, EMS fell below the reportable threshold value of 3%.

EMESTA HOLDING AG for its part, emphasised its commitment to EMS with this clear increase in shareholding from previously 51.70% to new 56.04%. EMESTA HOLDING AG is majority owned by Magdalena Martullo and Rahel Blocher.