Trading Update

Cookson Group PLC
18 December 2007


18 December 2007



    PRE-CLOSE PERIOD TRADING UPDATE - IN LINE WITH UPPER END OF EXPECTATIONS


Cookson Group plc ('Cookson' or 'the Group'), a leading materials science
company, issues its pre-close trading update ahead of its 2007 full year results
expected to be announced on 11 March 2008.


Highlights


•   Full year results expected to be at the upper end of expectations;


•   Good progress to date on proposed Foseco acquisition, in accordance
    with our original timetable.



Trading Update


Group


•   Market conditions have been in line with our expectations indicated at the 
    time of the Interim Results and our businesses have performed well within
    these markets;


•   The negative currency translation impact of the weaker US dollar in the 
    second half year has been largely offset by the strengthening against
    sterling of other currencies, notably the euro, in which the Group generates
    significant profits.



Ceramics


Global steel production continues to show good growth and is expected to grow
around 6% in the second half of 2007 (versus the second half of 2006).  As
anticipated, there has been a slowing down in production in Europe partially
offset by a pick-up in North America, with continued strong growth in
Asia-Pacific. The International Iron and Steel Institute ('IISI') is forecasting
6.8% global steel production growth for 2008 (Source: IISI Short Range Outlook -
October 2007).  Underlying revenue growth for the division in the second half of
2007 has continued to run ahead of global steel production.  Demand for fused
silica products, particularly Solar CruciblesTM, has shown high growth with
output from our new plants in China and Poland ramping up sharply.


The division's performance has continued to improve in the second half -
measured both against the first half of 2007 and the second half of 2006 -
helped, in particular, by a further margin improvement in the Linings business.
Return on sales for the division is expected to lie within the 14% to 16% target
range (as announced in August 2007) for the second half of 2007.



Electronics


The normal seasonal trend for the division is for higher revenue and trading
profit in the second half of the year versus the first half, driven by increased
demand for consumer electronics in the second half.


The Assembly Materials sector continues to benefit from growing demand for
higher-margin products, particularly SACXTM - the low-silver content lead-free
solder - and Solder Pastes, which are benefiting from the continuing shift from
wave soldering to surface mount technology.  The growth in these higher-margin
products is expected to result in an improved underlying trading performance,
compared to both the first half of 2007 and the second half of 2006.


The Chemistry sector saw a continuation of the first half revenue trends with
good growth in plating-on-plastics and corrosion and wear-resistant coatings
products for industrial and automotive markets, but weaker growth in surface
finish products serving the printed circuit board fabrication market within
electronics.  Semi-conductor related product lines saw slightly better demand in
the second half.  Underlying trading performance in the second half is therefore
expected to be better than the first half of 2007, but marginally behind the
second half of 2006.


Given the above, for the division as a whole, the normal seasonal trend of
higher revenue and trading profit in the second half of the year versus the
first half is again expected in 2007.



Precious Metals


While retail jewellery markets in the US and Europe have remained weak,
underlying trading performance is expected to be well ahead of the first half,
reflecting the normal seasonality of the business, and in line with the second
half of 2006.



Outlook


Our end-markets are currently showing good growth and the outlook for worldwide
steel production, in particular, remains robust.  Going forward we also expect
to benefit from the investment and restructuring programmes initiated over the
last few years.  Assuming current market conditions are maintained in 2008, then
continued substantial improvement in the Group's performance is anticipated.



Foseco Acquisition


When the proposed acquisition of Foseco plc ('Foseco') was announced on 11
October, it was stated that completion was expected in the first half of 2008
and was conditional, amongst other things, on receipt of anti-trust clearances
in the US and EU and approval of both companies' shareholders.  The intention to
dispose of Foseco's Carbon Bonded Ceramics ('CBC') business to expedite
anti-trust clearances was also announced.  Good progress on these matters is
being made in accordance with our original timetable, and has included the
following:


a.  The Foseco Scheme of Arrangement document was issued to its shareholders on 
    8 November 2007.  This document indicated a target date for the Foseco EGM 
    of 10 March 2008 and closing of the deal on 4 April 2008, subject to 
    amendment if the anti-trust clearances were not obtained by that date;

b.  The Cookson Class 1 Circular is expected to be issued to its shareholders 
    on 19 December 2007;

c.  The anti-trust reviews in the US and EU are progressing well, albeit that 
    these are at an early stage.  Initial submissions have been made to, and
    discussed with, the United States Department of Justice.  The European 
    Union 'Form CO' has been submitted in draft form and is under discussion;

d.  The process to find a buyer for Foseco's CBC business is progressing
    well with offers now under consideration;

e.  Cookson's new multi-currency debt facility of approximately £950 million
    was successfully syndicated to an additional group of twelve banks on 4
    December.  The syndication was oversubscribed, despite the current tight 
    credit market, reflecting the banking group's support for the acquisition;

f.  Work on the integration planning is ongoing.



We continue to expect the acquisition of Foseco to be completed in the first
half of 2008.



                                    - Ends -



For further information please contact


Shareholder/analyst enquiries:
Nick Salmon, Chief Executive                         Cookson Group plc
Mike Butterworth, Group Finance Director             Tel: + 44 (0)20 7822 0000
Anna Hartropp, Investor Relations Manager

Media enquiries:
John Olsen                                           Hogarth Partnership
                                                     Tel: [phone]

                                                     + 44 (0)7770 272082


About Cookson Group plc:

Cookson Group plc is a leading materials science company operating on a
worldwide basis in Ceramics, Electronics and Precious Metals markets.

The Ceramics division is the world leader in the supply of advanced flow control
refractory products and systems to the global steel industry and a leading
supplier of specialist ceramics products to the glass, solar and foundry
industries. It is also the regional leader in the US, UK and Australia in the
supply and installation of monolithic refractory linings.

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

The Precious Metals division is a leading supplier of fabricated precious metals
(primarily gold, silver and platinum) to the jewellery industry in the US, the
UK, France and Spain. Products include alloy materials, semi-finished jewellery
components and finished jewellery.


Forward looking statements

This announcement contains certain forward looking statements which may include
reference to one or more of the following: the Group's financial condition,
results of operations, cash flows, dividends, financing plans, business
strategies, operating efficiencies or synergies, budgets, capital and other
expenditures, competitive positions, growth opportunities for existing products,
plans and objectives of management and other matters.

Statements in this announcement that are not historical facts are hereby
identified as 'forward looking statements'. Such forward looking statements,
including, without limitation, those relating to the future business prospects,
revenue, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, interest costs and income,
in each case relating to Cookson, wherever they occur in this announcement, are
necessarily based on assumptions reflecting the views of Cookson and involve a
number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could
cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. Such forward
looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various
important factors. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward looking
statements include without limitation: economic and business cycles; the terms
and conditions of Cookson's financing arrangements; foreign currency rate
fluctuations; competition in Cookson's principal markets; acquisitions or
disposals of businesses or assets; and trends in Cookson's principal industries.

The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. When relying on
forward looking statements, careful consideration should be given to the
foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events, as well as factors
described in documents the Company files with the UK regulator from time to time
including its annual reports and accounts.

Such forward looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are
made. Except as required by the Rules of the UK Listing Authority and the London
Stock Exchange and applicable law, Cookson undertakes no obligation to update
publicly or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties
and assumptions, the forward looking events discussed in this announcement might
not occur.


Cookson Group plc, 165 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2AE
Registered in England and Wales No. 251977
www.cooksongroup.co.uk



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