Rockwood Press Release

Rockwood Completes Refinancing (September 2003)

Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. (“Rockwood”) recently completed the successful refinancing of its bank facility with the issuance of $375 million of 10 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011. The refinancing plan also includes $541 million of senior secured bank facilities, which includes a $100 million revolving credit facility.

Commenting on the refinancing, Seifi Ghasemi, Rockwood’s Chairman and CEO, said, “The successful implementation of our plan for refinancing clearly demonstrates the confidence the financial markets have in the future of Rockwood Specialties. We’ve made tremendous progress as a company, particularly over the last 18 months, in a most challenging economy.”

Proceeds from the notes issuance and bank facilities are being used to repay senior bank debt, senior subordinated debt, and related fees and expenses.

As part of the refinancing, one of Rockwood’s parent companies contributed $95 million to Rockwood, which represents proceeds from our parent’s issuance of $25 million of Series A Participating Preferred Stock and $70 million of senior discount notes to affiliates of KKR.

Rockwood, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, USA, is a leading global specialty chemical company with sales of more than $800 million. The company focuses on niche segments of the specialty chemical market, including additives, specialty compounds, electronic chemicals, materials and services. Rockwood Specialties maintains operations in North America, Europe and Asia with a workforce of over 2,500 employees.