Partial borate autocausticizing technology features the use of Neobor® to replace lime. Each ton of Neobor added to the pulp-making process replaces 10 to 50 times its weight in lime. For kraft and soda pulp mills, reducing the load on the lime kiln not only translates to lower operating costs, energy consumption and emissions but also significantly reduces the amount of lime mud that requires special handling and disposal.

The technology also increases pulp production without any equipment upgrades. The chemistry is straightforward. The reaction products from Neobor react with sodium carbonate to form an intermediate borate during the combustion of the black liquor. This intermediate borate is then hydrolyzed to form caustic and to regenerate the Neobor products in the smelt dissolving tank.

"Implementing partial borate autocausticizing technology requires minimal capital investment and delivers immediate results," says Dinesh Mohta, Buckman's Regional Manager for Pulp Technologies in Asia and Africa.

"We have seen transformative change at mills in Europe and the Americas who have adopted this technology, and we are excited about the opportunity to work with Buckman to expand its use to China, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand and South Africa, which are increasingly important paper-making regions," said Keith Sperring, Vice President, Research & Development for Borax.

Pulp producers are invited to learn more about partial borate autocausticizing technology by visiting http://www.borax.com/autocaust/.

"Our website features a simple questionnaire that takes about 15 minutes to fill out, giving information about the potential value at the particular pulp mill. We also offer a body of literature that describes actual results," said Eric Schweighofer, Technical Manager for Borax.

With the license agreement in place, Buckman sales personnel will begin visiting pulp producers throughout China, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand and South Africa in 2009.

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About Borax
Borax is part of the Rio Tinto Minerals family and produces nearly half the global demand for refined borates from its mine in California, one of the richest deposits on the planet. The organization began mining borates in 1872. The mule teams originally used to haul borates are long gone, but the symbol endures in the 20 Mule Team BoraxTM product brand. Borates are naturally occurring minerals that are essential to plants, part of a healthy human diet and key ingredients in a wide range of products including fiberglass, glass, ceramics, detergents, fertilizers, flame retardants and wood preservatives.

Today, Rio Tinto Minerals is a world leader in borates and talc production, and encompasses 2,500 people working on five continents to serve more than 2,500 customers worldwide. The organization is the world leader in product quality, supply reliability and technical support - the services that create value for its customers and differentiate Rio Tinto Minerals from its competitors. Rio Tinto Minerals is also an industry leader in continuously improving how its products and practices contribute to sustainable development. To learn more, please visit www.riotintominerals.com.

About Buckman
Buckman is an ISO certified manufacturer of specialty chemicals for use in the pulp and paper, water treatment, and leather industries. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, the company has a global presence in over 90 countries worldwide-serving customers on every continent. www.buckman.com.

Contacts:
Borax
Susan Keefe
+1 303 713 5055
susan.keefe@riotinto.com

Buckman
Dr. Xie Wen Bing
+65 6891 9200