Koppers Holdings Inc. Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP) today announced results for its fiscal 2008 first quarter.

The Company's sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 increased 13 percent, or $39 million, to $348 million, as compared to $309 million for the prior year quarter. This increase was a result of higher sales in the Carbon Materials & Chemicals segment, which increased 28 percent, or $52 million. The increase in this segment was due mainly to increased pricing for most product lines as a result of higher raw material costs, higher oil prices, higher foreign currency exchange rates, and higher carbon materials volumes due to strong product demand. Sales for Railroad & Utility Products decreased 10 percent, or $13 million, due primarily to lower volumes of railroad crossties and utility poles. Management believes the reduction in railroad crossties is due partly to an effort by some of the Class 1 railroads to reduce inventories, and expects demand to improve in the third quarter. Net income for the first quarter of 2008 increased to $13.2 million as compared to $10.5 million in the prior year quarter. Net income for the quarter benefited from higher volumes and prices for Carbon Materials & Chemicals, which more than offset lower volumes for crossties and utility poles.

Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2008 were $0.63 as compared to $0.50 in the prior year period.

EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 was $39.2 million compared to EBITDA of $35.6 million in the prior year. The increase in 2008 was primarily the result of higher volumes of carbon materials and higher product prices in Carbon Materials & Chemicals mainly as a result of higher raw material prices and higher oil prices, which more than offset lower volumes for railroad crossties and utility poles. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income is attached to this press release.

Commenting on the quarter, President and CEO Walter W. Turner said, "The first quarter exceeded our expectations, reflecting strong pricing and product demand for the global carbon materials and chemicals business. The lower demand in our railroad business is expected to improve in the third quarter. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about 2009 as we anticipate the completion of construction of our existing joint venture expansion project and our new joint venture in China, both of which we anticipate coming on-line by the end of 2008. We continue to benefit from strong demand within our key end markets for aluminum, rubber and concrete, as well as our focus on enhancing cash flow and our strict adherence to safety, health and environmental regulations."

Guidance

Mr. Turner continued, "I am very pleased that our first quarter’s results exceeded expectations and fully expect that strength to continue through 2008 and into 2009; however, based on the seasonality of our business I would like to get further into the second quarter before we modify our annual guidance to more accurately reflect our expectations for 2008. Therefore, we are not adjusting our 2008 guidance for sales growth from between 5% and 8%, an increase in adjusted EBITDA from 6% to 9% and an improvement in EPS of between 10% and 13%."

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast

Koppers management will conduct a conference call this morning, May 8, 2008, beginning at 11:00 AM EDT to discuss the company's performance. Interested parties may access the live audio broadcast by dialing 888 810 0248 in the US/Canada or 706 643 9697 for International, Conference ID number 43154940. Investors are requested to access the call at least five minutes before the scheduled start time in order to complete a brief registration. An audio replay will be available two hours after the call's completion at 800 642 1687 or 706 645 9291, Conference ID number 43154940. The recording will be available for replay through May 22, 2008.

The live broadcast of Koppers' conference call will be available online: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=194019&eventID=1821533 . (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived on the company's Web site at www.koppers.com , as well as www.streetevents.com and www.earnings.com , shortly after the live call and continuing through May 22, 2008.

About Koppers

Koppers, with corporate headquarters and a research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a global integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products. Including its joint ventures, Koppers operates facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, and China. The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KOP." For more information, visit us on the Web: www.koppers.com . Questions concerning investor relations should be directed to Brian H. McCurrie at 412 227 2153 or Michael W. Snyder at 412 227 2131.