BATON ROUGE, La. (Map) -

    BATON ROUGE, La., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
    Second quarter highlights:
    -- Net sales of $620.8 million, up 10.1% year over year
    -- Net income of $61.7 million, or $0.67 per share, up 14.5% over the same
       period last year
    -- Record quarterly Polymer Additives net sales of $260.5 million, up
       16.3% year over year and 6.5% sequentially
    -- Over 500 basis point year over year improvement in quarterly Catalyst
       segment income margin
                              Second Quarter Ended        Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,                  June 30,
    In thousands, except
     per share amounts          2008         2007         2008         2007
    Net Sales                $620,750     $563,812   $1,288,927   $1,153,050
    Operating Profit          $77,790      $74,259     $161,604     $155,851
    Net Income                $61,655      $53,863     $124,916     $111,971
    Diluted earnings per
     share                      $0.67        $0.55        $1.34        $1.15
    Diluted earnings per
     share - special item          $-       $(0.03)      $(0.02)      $(0.03)
    Diluted earnings per
     share excluding
     special item               $0.67        $0.59        $1.37        $1.18

Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) reported second quarter 2008 net income of $61.7 million, or 67 cents per share, up from $53.9 million, or 55 cents per share, for the second quarter of 2007. Excluding the $3.2 million after tax charge, or 3 cents per share, related to the closure of our Dayton fine chemistry facility, second quarter 2007 net income was $57.0 million, or 59 cents per share. Operating profit was $77.8 million as strong performance in the Company's Catalysts and Fine Chemicals business segments was partially offset by declines in the Polymer Additives business segment. The Company reported net sales in the second quarter of 2008 totaling $621 million compared to second quarter 2007 net sales of $564 million.

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Net income for the first half of 2008 was $124.9 million, or $1.34 per share, up from $112.0 million, or $1.15 per share, for the first half of 2007. Excluding the first quarter 2008 charge related to severance in conjunction with personnel reductions at the Company's Richmond headquarters and Singapore sales office, net income for the first half of 2008 was $127.0 million, or $1.37 per share. Net income, excluding the Dayton charge, for the first half of 2007 was $115.1 million, or $1.18 per share. Net sales for the first half of 2008 were $1.29 billion compared to $1.15 billion for the first half of 2007, an increase of 12 percent.

Commenting on results, Mark C. Rohr, President and CEO, stated, "While we are facing very tough inflationary pressures of over $45 million this quarter our businesses have been able to respond and manage margins and profitability very well. Revenue, volume and profit grew year over year demonstrating the fundamental value of our products to customers seeking to manage this tough business environment. Our business fundamentals remain strong and I believe our company is well positioned to face the challenging economic conditions we face today."

Quarterly Segment Results

Polymer Additives delivered record net sales for second quarter 2008 of $260.5 million, a 16 percent increase versus the second quarter of 2007. Net sales increased in our flame retardants primarily due to higher volumes and favorable foreign currency exchange rates. Net sales increased in our stabilizers and curatives portfolio due primarily to higher volumes. Polymer Additives segment income for the second quarter of 2008 declined 25 percent from the second quarter of 2007 to $26.5 million due primarily to higher raw material costs, partially offset by improved brominated flame retardant product volumes, pricing and mix.

Catalysts generated net sales for the second quarter of 2008 of $208.4 million, a nominal increase versus second quarter 2007. Catalysts segment income for the second quarter of 2008 increased 33 percent versus the second quarter of 2007 to $43.0 million due primarily to improved pricing in FCC refinery catalysts and increased earnings from our joint ventures.

Fine Chemicals net sales for the second quarter of 2008 were $151.9 million, a 15 percent increase versus the second quarter of 2007 due primarily to higher volumes from our bromine portfolio and improved pricing across fine chemistry services. Segment income margins were 16 percent as compared to 20 percent in the second quarter of 2007. Due to high raw material and energy costs, segment income declined $1.8 million to $24.5 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

Cash Flow

In the first six months of 2008, our cash and cash flow from operations funded capital expenditures for plant machinery and equipment of $40 million, acquisitions of $20 million and dividends to shareholders of $20 million. We utilized availability under our credit agreement for repurchases of 4.1 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate cost of approximately $151 million. During the quarter, interest and financing expenses were $8.4 million versus second quarter 2007 expenses of $10.4 million.

Taxes

Our second quarter 2008 effective income tax rate was 18.1 percent, and the full year effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 20.0 percent, which is comparable to our full year effective tax rate in 2007. The tax rate continues to be influenced by the level and mix of income and has benefited from a more favorable mix of income due to higher than anticipated earnings in lower tax jurisdictions.

Outlook

We remain optimistic that each of our businesses will experience above trend top-line growth based on fundamental business prospects. Demand for our refinery catalysts should continue to increase due to regulations mandating cleaner fuels and the increasing percentage of sour crudes being processed by refiners although we expect season weakness in the third quarter. Our polymer additives business has benefited so far this year from an improved supply demand equation for electronics and we have posted record sales despite prolonged weakness in the automotive and construction markets. Fine Chemicals prospects will be driven by the strength and expansion of our bromine franchise, commercialization of products in our fine chemistry services pipeline and improving utilization of our flexible asset base to deliver solutions to our customers. In addition, we remain focused on expanding our presence in emerging markets as we seek to grow our businesses in the Middle East and Asia. Our Chinese manufacturing base has grown considerably with our Jinhai antioxidants acquisition and the completion of our Nanjing phosphorus flame retardant plant. In 2008, we expect our sales in China to be roughly three times the level in 2005 and are diligently working to expand our geographic footprint. Managing the runaway inflation in raw materials, energy and other costs of doing business is taking significant effort as we work with our customers to preserve the value for our products. For the year we now expect inflation to exceed $220 million year over year with the majority of this occurring in the second half. Margin compression due to the rampant input cost inflation has been the most challenging issue facing our businesses and remains our most important area of focus for the remainder of 2008.

Earnings Call

The Company's performance for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008 will be discussed on a conference call at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight time on July 21, 2008, which can be accessed through Albemarle's website under Investor Information at http://www.albemarle.com.

Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics; petroleum and petrochemical processing; transportation and industrial products; pharmaceuticals; agricultural products; construction and packaging materials. The Company operates in three business segments, Polymer Additives, Catalysts and Fine Chemicals and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the information presented in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe our expectations as reflected are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, without limitation: the inability to pass through increases in costs and expenses for raw materials and energy; competition from other manufacturers; changes in demand for our products; the gain or loss of significant customers; fluctuations in foreign currencies; and increased government regulation of our operations or our products. Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007 and in our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are urged to review and consider carefully the disclosures we make in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (In Thousands of Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)
                             Second Quarter Ended       Six Months Ended
                                   June 30,                  June 30,
                               2008         2007         2008         2007
    Net sales               $620,750     $563,812   $1,288,927   $1,153,050
    Cost of goods sold       457,769      410,430      958,535      839,879
      Gross profit           162,981      153,382      330,392      313,171
    Selling, general and
     administrative
     expenses                 67,598       59,255      131,117      121,741
    Research and
     development expenses     17,593       14,924       34,393       30,635
    Severance charges              -            -        3,278(a)         -
    Dayton facility
     closure charge                -        4,944(b)         -        4,944(b)
      Operating profit        77,790       74,259      161,604      155,851
    Interest and financing
     expenses                 (8,441)     (10,417)     (18,657)     (19,327)
    Other income, net          1,938        1,631        4,784        2,583
    Income before income
     tax expense, minority
     interests and equity in
     net income of
     unconsolidated
     investments              71,287       65,473      147,731      139,107
    Income tax expense       (12,902)     (15,585)     (29,528)     (32,521)
    Income before minority
     interests and equity in
     net income of
     unconsolidated
     investments              58,385       49,888      118,203      106,586
    Minority interests in
     income of consolidated
     subsidiaries
     (net of tax)             (5,396)      (2,746)      (8,981)      (7,697)
    Equity in net income
     of unconsolidated
     investments
     (net of tax)              8,666        6,721       15,694       13,082
    Net income               $61,655      $53,863     $124,916     $111,971
    Basic earnings per
     share                     $0.68        $0.57        $1.36        $1.18
    Diluted earnings
     per share                 $0.67        $0.55        $1.34        $1.15
    Weighted-average
     common shares
     outstanding - Basic      91,182       95,272       91,766       95,280
    Weighted-average
     common shares
     outstanding - Diluted    92,367       97,256       93,028       97,380
    See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial
    information.
    Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited)
                                                       June 30,   December 31,
                                                         2008           2007
    ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents                         $168,482       $130,551
    Other current assets                             1,035,662        922,887
      Total current assets                           1,204,144      1,053,438
    Property, plant and equipment                    2,394,230      2,314,509
    Less accumulated depreciation
     and amortization                                1,330,795      1,275,966
      Net property, plant and equipment              1,063,435      1,038,543
    Other assets and intangibles                       801,585        738,469
      Total assets                                  $3,069,164     $2,830,450
    LIABILITIES &
    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current portion of long-term debt                  $21,173        $16,627
    Other current liabilities                          408,819        386,290
      Total current liabilities                        429,992        402,917
    Long-term debt                                     869,844        707,311
    Other noncurrent liabilities                       326,616        334,828
    Deferred income taxes                              134,031        107,089
    Shareholders' equity                             1,308,681      1,278,305
      Total liabilities & shareholders' equity      $3,069,164     $2,830,450
    See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial
    information.
    Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries
    Selected Cash Flows Data
    (In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited)
                                                          Six Months Ended
                                                              June 30,
                                                         2008           2007
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year    $130,551       $149,499
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period        $168,482       $200,406
    Sources of cash and cash equivalents:
      Net income                                       124,916        111,971
      Proceeds from borrowings                         214,612         74,869
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options            3,931         15,955
    Uses of cash and cash equivalents:
      Capital expenditures                             (40,237)       (49,981)
      Acquisitions                                     (19,965)( c )        -
      Purchases of common stock                       (151,137)       (47,695)
      Repayments of long-term debt                     (50,266)       (15,234)
      Dividends paid to shareholders                   (20,476)       (20,187)
      Dividends paid to minority interests              (7,337)        (7,548)
    Non-cash items:
      Depreciation and amortization                     54,042         53,758
    See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial
    information.
    Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Summary of Segment Results
    (In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited)
                               Second Quarter Ended        Six Months Ended
                                      June 30,                  June 30,
                                 2008         2007         2008         2007
    Net sales:
      Polymer Additives       $260,508     $223,950     $505,098     $438,269
      Catalysts                208,386      207,448      484,483      443,275
      Fine Chemicals           151,856      132,414      299,346      271,506
        Total net sales       $620,750     $563,812   $1,288,927   $1,153,050
    Segment operating profit:
      Polymer Additives        $27,363      $35,311      $57,632      $71,771
      Catalysts                 35,520       27,435       81,676       62,016
      Fine Chemicals            27,673       27,253       51,153       52,500
        Subtotal               $90,556      $89,999     $190,461     $186,287
    Minority interests in
     income of consolidated
     subsidiaries:
      Polymer Additives        $(2,116)     $(1,807)     $(4,105)     $(4,059)
      Catalysts                      -            -            -            -
      Fine Chemicals            (3,223)        (971)      (5,158)      (3,706)
      Corporate & other            (57)          32          282           68
        Total minority
         interests in
         income of
         consolidated
         subsidiaries          $(5,396)     $(2,746)     $(8,981)     $(7,697)
    Equity in net income of
     unconsolidated
     investments:
      Polymer Additives         $1,205       $1,776       $2,677       $3,291
      Catalysts                  7,488        4,976       13,054        9,800
      Fine Chemicals                 -            -            -            -
      Corporate & other            (27)         (31)         (37)          (9)
        Total equity in net
         income of
         unconsolidated
         investments            $8,666       $6,721      $15,694      $13,082
    Segment income:
      Polymer Additives        $26,452      $35,280      $56,204      $71,003
      Catalysts                 43,008       32,411       94,730       71,816
      Fine Chemicals            24,450       26,282       45,995       48,794
        Total segment income    93,910       93,973      196,929      191,613
    Corporate & other          (12,850)     (10,795)     (25,334)     (25,433)
    Severance charges (a)            -            -       (3,278)           -
    Dayton facility
     closure charge (b)              -       (4,944)           -       (4,944)
    Interest and financing
     expenses                   (8,441)     (10,417)     (18,657)     (19,327)
    Other income, net            1,938        1,631        4,784        2,583
    Income tax expense         (12,902)     (15,585)     (29,528)     (32,521)
    Net income                 $61,655      $53,863     $124,916     $111,971
    See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial
    information.
    Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Information
    (a)   The six-month period ended June 30, 2008 includes charges amounting
          to $3.3 million ($2.1 million after income taxes, or 2 cents per
          share) that relate to severance in conjunction with personnel
          reductions at the Company's Richmond headquarters and Singapore
          sales office.
    (b)   The three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 include a charge
          amounting to $4.9 million ($3.2 million after income taxes, or
          3 cents per share) that relates to the closure of our Dayton, Ohio
          fine chemistry facility.
    ( c ) On June 30, 2008, we acquired the remaining 25 percent of our
          majority owned Polymer Additives business segment joint ventures in
          China: Ningbo Jinhai Albemarle Chemical and Industry Company Limited
          and Shanghai Jinhai Albemarle Fine Chemicals Company Limited.

Additional Information

It should be noted that net income excluding special items is a financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. It is presented here to exclude the impact of certain non-recurring items on our results. We believe this measure is more reflective of our operations, provides transparency to investors and enables period-to-period comparability of financial performance.

A description of other non-GAAP financial measures that we use to evaluate our operations and financial performance, and reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, can be found in the Investor Information section of our website at http://www.albemarle.com, under "Non-GAAP Reconciliations" under "Investor Relations."