Vesuvius Regulatory News (VSVS)

27 November 2012

COOKSON GROUP PLC - PROPOSED DEMERGER

ANALYST AND INVESTOR PRESENTATION - ALENT PLC

Cookson Group plc ("Cookson") announced on 1 November 2012 that it proposed to demerge its Performance Materials division to form a new London listed specialty chemicals company, called Alent plc ("Alent"). These proposals were approved by the Court Meeting and General Meeting of Cookson shareholders on 26 November 2012 and the demerger is expected to become effective on 19 December 2012.

A presentation on Alent for analysts and investors by Steve Corbett (CEO-designate) and Mike Butterworth (Acting CFO-designate), together with other members of the senior management team, is taking place today at the offices of BofA Merrill Lynch, 2 King Edward Street, London EC1A 1HQ at 2.00pm.

Alent will outline its position as a leading global supplier of electronics assembly materials and advanced surface treatment plating chemicals, serving primarily the global electronics production industry, and also the automotive and other industrial markets.

The presentations will highlight Alent's key strengths including its market leadership through differentiated products and solutions; its technology and fast cycle R&D providing innovation-driven growth; its participation in high growth end-markets; its global footprint close to industry defining customers in Asia; its longstanding and collaborative customer relationships; and its value-add sales strategy targeting OEMs.

Management will also address how Alent intends to execute its strategy of focusing on high growth end-markets; further developing new markets and products; expanding its value-add and OEM sales strategy; continuing to develop higher-margin products and improve mix and operational efficiencies; and of further developing its technology and innovation leadership.

No new material financial information will be provided in the presentation.

The presentation will be webcast live on Cookson's website www.cooksongroup.co.uk and an archive version of the presentation will be available on the website from 9.00am on 28 November (see further details below).

For further information please contact:

Alent plc Tel: +44 (0)207 822 0000

Steve Corbett, CEO-designate

Mike Butterworth, Acting CFO-designate

Frances Gibbons, IR Manager

MHP Communications Tel: +44 (0)203 128 8100

John Olsen

Andrew Jaques

Ian Payne

Details of the webcast and audio feed:

A live webcast of the presentation will be available on Cookson's website www.cooksongroup.co.uk. In addition, a live audio feed is available using the dial in numbers below:

+44 (0)20 7136 2056 non-US participants

+1 646 254 3362 US participants

Confirmation code (both non-US and US): 8428157

An archive version of the webcast will be available on Cookson's website from 9.00am on Wednesday 28 November. In addition, an archive audio replay will be available until Tuesday 11 December 2012 using the dial in numbers below:

+44 (0)20 3427 0598 non-US participants

+1 347 366 9565 US participants

Confirmation code (both non-US and US): 8428157#

About Cookson Group plc:

Cookson Group plc is a leading materials science company operating on a worldwide basis.

The Engineered Ceramics division is the world leader in the supply of advanced consumable refractory products and systems to the global steel and foundry industries and a leading supplier of speciality products to the glass and solar industries.

The Performance Materials division is a leading supplier of electronic assembly materials and advanced surface treatment and plating chemicals to the electronics, automotive, industrial and construction markets.

The Precious Metals division is a leading supplier of fabricated precious metals (primarily gold, silver and platinum) to the jewellery industry in the UK, France and Spain, and also has significant precious metal recycling operations.

Cookson Group plc, 165 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2AE

Registered in England and Wales No. 251977

www.cooksongroup.co.uk