Dottikon ES : Major Investments and Increase in Headcount in Switzerland

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MEDIA RELEASE Dottikon, March 11, 2016

DOTTIKON ES - Major Investments and Increase in Headcount in Switzerland

Dottikon, Switzerland, March 11, 2016 - Based on the current order situation, DOTTIKON ES Group, positioned as strategic development and manufacturing partner and specialized in the area of hazardous reactions and the exclusive synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and fine chemicals, expects to report continued strong growth. In order to realize this growth, DOTTIKON ES will invest more than CHF 100 million in its development and production site in Dottikon (Aargau, Switzerland) over the coming two years. The major investments will consist of the creation of additional chemical process development and production capacities for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Amid this effort, DOTTIKON ES will create 100 new jobs in pro- duction, quality management, and development.

The new high-quality multi-ton API drying capacities will be put into operation in the fourth quar- ter of 2016, while the additional multi-purpose production capacities for sophisticated chemistry will become operative in the first half of 2017. In order for the chemical process development and quality management to be ready for future growth, DOTTIKON ES will build a new four-storied laboratory and office building with floor space in excess of 8'000 m2 that will be ready in 2018.

DOTTIKON ES currently has over 500 employees. In the business year 2015/16, which will end on March 31, 2016, the company added 45 new positions, around 90 percent of which in chemical production. Further job creation of a similar scale is foreseen for the coming business year. In or- der to further strengthen its development and production site in Switzerland, DOTTIKON ES offers people seeking career transitions the possibility to retrain as shift work operators for the chemi- cal industry. DOTTIKON ES also invests in the professional education of young, qualified people, offering high-quality apprenticeships with the goal of keeping these young professionals in the company upon the successful completion of their apprenticeship.

DOTTIKON ES will publish its results for the business year 2015/16 as well as its Annual Report 2015/16 on May 31, 2016.

DOTTIKON ES manufactures high-quality performance chemicals, intermediates and exclusive active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for the world's leading chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The company with its production site in Dottikon (Aargau, Switzerland) is specialized in hazardous reactions and is positioning itself as strategic development and manufacturing partner. Its safety culture created over the last 100 years guides innovative use of hazardous reactions, low-temperature and high-pressure chemistry, as well as continuous processing. This shortens conventional chemical synthesis routes, increases yields, selectivities and purities, and reduces waste. The versatile technology and equipment portfolio is used to design, develop and optimize chemical processes, and scale up from kilograms to multi-tons.

DOTTIKON ES' one-site strategy allows reduced decision and communication pathways. This ensures rapid and efficient project development as well as clear and transparent communication with customers.

DOTTIKON ES' commitment to an independent and autonomous educational system Patients around the world would have no access to the clients' innovative or life-saving high- quality medication without the employees of DOTTIKON ES' daily dedicated commitment and high willingness to perform, combined with in-depth, valuable know-how, and long-standing prac- tical experience in chemical process development and the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

DOTTIKON ES is committed to: (i) a practical vocational education with classroom teaching or a scientific education at a university or the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in combination with practical training; (ii) knowledge enrichment and the gaining of new experience by funda- mental research at a university or the ETH without justification and verification of immediate

commercial use; and (iii) commercial, market-oriented, and innovative research and development by enterprises themselves.

DOTTIKON ES takes this responsibility by taking corresponding actions in its field.

DOTTIKON ES HOLDING AG is listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange. Symbol: DESN

Security number: 2073900 ISIN: CH0020739006

For further information please contact Markus Blocher, Ph.D.

CEO

Dottikon ES Holding AG Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

[e-mail]