SKW Trostberg and Degussa-Hüls have successfully merged, forming Degussa AG.  The merger of the two companies, completed February 9, 2001, makes the new Degussa the largest specialty chemical company in the world.  The 206 million shares of Degussa were available for trade on the Frankfurt stock exchange beginning February 19.  Degussa reports a work force of 63,000 employees in over 100 countries throughout the world, with 1999 earnings of approximately 6.7 billion USD.