Rockwood Press Release

Southern Clay Products Develops Products for the Coatings Market

GONZALES, TX (April 2002) — Southern Clay Products, Inc. of Gonzales, TX has launched two new products for the coatings market.

Garamite LS is the world’s first true stir-in organoclay. It can be used in the dispersion or thin down phase of most aliphatic and aromatic solvent based paints and inks to generate efficient thickening of these systems.

Garamite 1958 is the latest additive to employ Southern Clay Products’ focused performance strategy. Garamite 1958 develops sag resistance and anti-settling properties before the onset of significant viscosity, making it the ideal rheological additive for compliance and 100% solids systems. These products are available exclusively from Southern Clay Products and its network of distributors. For samples or additional information, e-mail tbrennan@scprod.com or call toll free (800) 324-2891.

Southern Clay Products, Inc is headquartered in Gonzales, Texas and is a leading supplier of smectite-based functional additives to several markets. The company's complete line of water- and solvent-based rheological additives includes Permont®, Bentolite®, Claytone®, Mineral Colloid®, Gelwhite®, and Laponite®. Southern Clay Products is part of Rockwood Specialties Inc., a leading specialty chemical company headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey.

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.