March 23, 2011

American Environmental Scientist receives 2011 Stockholm Water Prize

Co-founders of the Stockholm Water Prize, Borealis and Borouge, are pleased to share the announcement of Stephen R. Carpenter, Professor of Zoology and Limnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for his groundbreaking research on lake eco-systems. The Stockholm Water Prize is the world’s most prestigious award for outstanding achievements in water-related activities.

Professor Carpenter's groundbreaking research has shown how lake ecosystems are affected by the surrounding landscape and by human activities. His findings have formed the basis for concrete solutions on how to manage lakes. They have influenced concrete strategies for dealing with eutrophication and have provided a practical framework for the management of freshwater resources.

Professor Carpenter, 59, is recognised as one of the world's most influential environmental scientists in the field of ecology. By combining theoretical models and large-scale lake experiments, he has reframed our understanding of freshwater environments and how lake ecosystems are impacted by humans and the surrounding landscape.

As co-founders of the Stockholm Water Prize and initiators of the Water for the World™ programme, Borealis and Borouge are actively committed to promoting and supporting best practice in the management of water resources and in improving access to water and sanitation around the globe.

“Preserving water resources from unsustainable use and pollution is essential in a world where two-thirds of the population is at risk of water stress,” comments Gerd Löbbert, Borealis Executive Vice President Polyolefins. “The Stockholm Water Prize demonstrates that research and innovation can truly make a difference, and this is what Borealis and Borouge set out to achieve in co-founding this award.”

Established in 2007, Water for the World has led a large number of projects, including creating a water supply for earthquake refugee resettlements in Italy and China, partnering with the Business Friends of the Danube, to preserve the water resources within the Danube River Basin or spearheading precision farming techniques in the Danube region to prevent excess nutrient load in river environment.

Announced each March in connection with the UN World Water Day, the Stockholm Water Prize Laureate 2011 will be honoured at a Royal Prize Ceremony under the patronage of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden on August 25, 2011, during World Water Week. The prize, administered by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and founded by international companies in cooperation with the City of Stockholm, includes a USD 150,000 award.

END

For further information please contact:

Kerstin Meckler, Director Communications, Borealis
Tel +43 122 400 389
Email: kerstin.meckler@borealisgroup.com

Craig Halgreen, Vice President, Global Communications, Borouge
Tel +971 2 6070 807
Email: craig.halgreen@borouge.com 

Britt-Louise Andersson, Communications Director, SIWI
Tel + 46 8 522 139 72
Email: britt-louise.andersson@siwi.org

About Borealis and Borouge

Borealis is a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions that create value for society. With sales of EUR 6.3 billion in 2010, customers in over 120 countries, and 5,100 employees worldwide, Borealis is owned 64% by the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi and 36% by OMV, the leading energy group in the European growth belt. Borealis is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and has production locations, innovation centres and customer service centres across Europe and the Americas.

Through Borouge, a joint venture between Borealis and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world’s major oil and gas companies, the company’s footprint reaches out to the Middle East, Asia Pacific, the Indian sub-continent and Africa. Established in 1998, Borouge employs approximately 1,600 people, has customers in more than 50 countries and its headquarters are in Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Singapore.

Building on Borealis’ unique Borstar® technology and their experience in polyolefins of more than 50 years, Borealis and Borouge provide innovative, value creating plastics solutions for the infrastructure (pipe systems and power and communication cables), automotive and advanced packaging markets. In addition, Borealis offers a wide range of base chemicals from melamine and fertilizer to phenol and acetone.

Today, Borealis and Borouge have a manufacturing capacity of over 5.4 million tonnes of polyolefins (polyethylene and polypropylene) per year of which 26% are the result of a recently completed capacity expansion in Abu Dhabi. An additional 2.5 million tonnes per year is scheduled for completion by mid-2014, creating the world’s largest integrated polyolefins plant. The companies continue to invest to ensure that their customers throughout the value chain, around the world, can always rely on superior products and security of supply.

Borouge and Borealis are committed to the principles of Responsible Care® and proactively contribute to addressing the world’s water and sanitation challenges through their Water for the World™ initiative.

About SIWI

SIWI - Independent, Leading-Edge Water Competence for Future-Oriented Action. The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that contributes to international efforts to combat the world's escalating water. www.siwi.org

For more information visit:
Borealis: www.borealisgroup.com
Borouge: www.borouge.com
Water for the World: www.waterfortheworld.net

Water for the World is a trademark of the Borealis group.

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