Rohm and Haas Wood Biocides and Rockwood's CSI Subsidiary Execute Joint Venture Agreement to Serve the Wood Treatment Industry

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 10 November 2006 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Rohm and Haas Company and Chemical Specialties, Inc. (CSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Rockwood Holdings, Inc., announced that the companies have signed an agreement to form a joint venture to serve the wood treatment industry.

As announced earlier, the new company brings together the wood biocides business of Rohm and Haas and the wood protection chemicals business of CSI to provide an extensive range of advanced wood treatment technologies and services to the global wood treatment industry. The joint venture plans to commence operations in January. The transaction is subject to government review.

CSI and Rockwood

Chemical Specialties, Inc. (CSI), a subsidiary of Rockwood Holdings, Inc., is a leading supplier of wood protection technology to the wood preservation industry. CSI supplies wood treatment technology and preservative formulations to companies that produce a wide range of high-quality treated wood products. CSI provides advanced solutions that improve wood and make it last.

CSI also provides a high level of integrated product support programs implemented by professional technical, marketing, customer service, and product development staff located strategically throughout the United States and Europe. CSI's research and development team produces innovative technologies to maintain the company's position as the recognized leader in market development and technology advancement initiatives in the treated wood industry. For more information on CSI's products and services, visit http://www.treatedwood.com/.

Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ROC) is a leading global specialty chemicals and advanced materials company. Rockwood has a worldwide employee base of approximately 10,800 people and had net sales of USD 3.1 billion in 2005. The company focuses on global niche segments of the specialty chemicals and advanced materials markets, including specialty chemicals, performance additives, titanium dioxide pigments, advanced ceramics, custom synthesis, specialty compounds, and electronics. For more information on Rockwood, visit http://www.rocksp.com/.

About Rohm and Haas Company

Rohm and Haas (NYSE:ROH) is a global pioneer in the creation and development of innovative technologies and solutions for the specialty materials industry. The company's technologies are found in a wide range of markets, including building and construction, electronics, food and retail, household and personal care, industrial process, packaging, paper, transportation, and water. Our innovative technologies and solutions help to improve life every day, around the world. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the company generated annual sales of approximately USD 8 billion in 2005. Visit http://www.rohmhaas.com/ for more information.

Rohm and Haas and Microbial Control

Rohm and Haas is a global leader in microbial control solutions used for a variety of processes, substrates and products, including paints and coatings, building and construction materials, plastics, water treatment, metalworking fluids, and mineral processing as well as preservatives for household and personal care applications. For more than 30 years, Rohm and Haas has been applying its extensive technical know-how to solve microbial challenges around the world.

Source: Rockwood Holdings, Inc.; Rohm and Haas Company