MONHEIM, Germany - Cognis has received the 2005/2006 "Umweltschutzpreis" environmental award from the Federation of German Industries (BDI) in recognition of its Disponil® AFX surfactant systems. Disponil AFX won in the "Environmentally Friendly Products" category.

Cognis' aromatic-free Disponil AFX surfactant systems represent a green alternative to the use of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) in emulsion-polymerization processes. The use of alternative products to NPEOs brings manufacturers in the position to apply for environmental certifications, such as the EU Ecolabel for paints and varnishes used in domestic interior decoration. Disponil AFX is made from renewable raw materials and is fully biodegradable, but is comparable to NPEOs in terms of both cost effectiveness and performance. As well as the environmental benefits, Disponil AFX is also less toxicologically harmful than NPEOs.