Buhler and Sigma-Aldrich® (Nasdaq: SIAL) have signed an agreement in which research volumes of nanoparticle dispersions from Buhler will be sold worldwide exclusively by Sigma-Aldrich. These products are dispersions of nanoscale inorganic particles in water and organic solvents, which show great economic potential in a wide spectrum of possible applications. The initial target group for these products will be materials science research and development. The dispersions are manufactured in the nanotechnology business unit (PARTEC) of the Buhler Group and are sold worldwide through the Aldrich® Materials Science initiative of Sigma-Aldrich.

The agreement covers dispersions of nanoscale titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO) and hydrated iron oxide (FeOOH). Dispersions of nanoscale titanium dioxide in water, xylene and a mixture of ethylene glycol open up development options for the photocatalytically active semiconductor material in such diverse fields as solar energy, printed electronics, and self-cleaning and superhydrophilic surfaces. Dispersions of hydrated iron oxide are available in water and ethanol. Dispersions in water, ethanol, butyl acetate and butyl glycol provide a wide solvent polarity spectrum for researching applications of the nanoscale zinc oxide. Zinc Oxide is already being used in UV absorbers and as a fungicide in coatings, and as a ceramic for electronic components such as varistors. To learn more about the nanomaterials available from Aldrich Materials Science, please visit www.sigma-aldrich.com/nano.

Buhler is a global leader in the supply of process engineering solutions, especially production technologies for producing foods and engineering materials. Buhler operates in over 140 countries and has a global payroll of about 7,500. In fiscal 2009, the Group generated sales (turnover) of CHF 1.7 billion.

Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 38 countries and has 7,600 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Innovation and Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning Web site at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.

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