Heidelberg free float rises to over 20 percent

Heidelberg, Germany (ots/PROTEXT) - RWE AG, Essen, today sold6.15 percent (5 275 000 shares) of its holding in HeidelbergerDruckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) to national and internationalinstitutional investors in an accelerated bookbuilding procedure.The transaction was handled by Commerzbank and Merrill Lynch andcompleted within two hours. This increases Heidelberg's freefloat to over 20 percent. The proportion of shares traded freelyon the market even exceeds 26 percent if stakes of up to 5percent in long-term ownership are also taken into account. The transaction highlights the strong demand for Heidelbergshares. Bernhard Schreier, Chairman of the Management Board ofHeidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, welcomes the sale: "This is animportant step towards increasing the free float to a level thatreflects the company's position on the global market and itsmarket capitalization." The larger free float will furtherincrease the appeal of Heidelberg shares. At its meeting on March 27, 2001, the Supervisory Board of RWEAG decided to sell up to 6.15 percent of its 56.15 holding inHeidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. RWE undertakes not to sell further Heidelberg shares withinthe next 180 days. ots Original Text Service: HeidelbergerDruckmaschinen AG Internet: http://www.presseportal.de Forfurther information: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG CorporateCommunications Thomas Fichtl Tel: +49 (0)6221- 92 4747 Fax: +49(0)6221- 92 5069 E-mail: thomas.fichtl@de.heidelberg.com

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