Koch Carbon, LLC Earns Top OSHA Safety Recertification

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX--(Marketwire - June 3, 2009) - Koch Carbon, LLC's (http://www.kochind.com/IndustryAreas/minerals.aspx) Corpus Christi site has been recertified as a Star site (http://www.kochind.com/about/honors.aspx), the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's most prestigious designation in its Voluntary Protection Programs, for its outstanding operational record and safety program.

Koch Carbon operates a petroleum coke handling facility at Flint Hills Resources' (http://www.kochind.com/IndustryAreas/refining.aspx) West Plant. The VPP Star designation is OSHA's official recognition of outstanding efforts by employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health.

"Safety is a top priority at Koch Carbon," said Pat Baldwin, Koch Carbon, LLC's vice president of operations. "I commend the team in Corpus Christi for their commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for all of our employees. It is not easy to achieve and maintain the high standards required for VPP certification, and this recognition is an honor and a testament to our employees' commitment to safety performance and practices."

OSHA awarded the VPP Star recertification to Koch Carbon after in-depth review that included re-evaluation of the facility's safety and health programs, operations performance and safety record. The company's Pittsburg, Calif. facility and affiliate The C. Reiss Coal Company's Green Bay, Wis. plant have also earned VPP Star designation.

"At our company, we strive for 10,000 percent compliance, with 100 percent of employees fully complying with the law and all health and safety regulations 100 percent of the time," said Kevin Kauk, the company's manager for Gulf Coast operations. "I want to thank our safety team and all our employees for working hard to uphold that standard and I commend them on this honor."

Based in Wichita, Kan., Koch Carbon, LLC and its affiliates globally trade and transport petroleum coke, coal, cement, sulfur, salt and other related commodities through a network of bulk import/export terminals in the United States and Europe.