July 16, 2008 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

EPA Environmental Performance Award Presented to Rohm and Haas Kankakee Plant

KANKAKEE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Rohm and Haas Company (NYSE:ROH) Kankakee facility with their National Environmental Performance Track Award for progress toward achieving environmental performance goals and the breadth and challenge of those goals.

“Results are what are most important to the EPA,” explained Kevin Traynor, Plant Manager. “We drove our efforts to deliver a more environmentally-friendly facility and maintained a competitive position at the same time.” The Kankakee plant manufactures water-based polymers for the paint and coatings industry.

The Rohm and Haas Kankakee site was acknowledged for reducing total energy consumption by 28 percent, water usage by more than 4 million gallons or 12 percent, and eliminating its use of ferric chloride by developing a replacement process with their local municipality.

“By rethinking our approaches and discussing options with our local municipality, we challenged ourselves to make adjustments and, in the end, do what’s right,” concluded Traynor.

The award is recognition of improvement recorded in 2006. These achievements were reached even as its production increased by 18 percent.

As a charter member of the Performance Track program in 2000, the Kankakee operating team has aggressively challenged themselves toward continuous improvement through use of their environmental management systems. “By setting stretch goals, we far exceeded our predictions,” added Traynor.

“Goals are established for a three-year period. By measuring against them quarterly, we’re able to ensure obstacles are removed and our operations become more sustainable.” Traynor summarized, “The entire plant staff works together to reach those goals.”

The National Environmental Performance Track drives environmental excellence by encouraging facilities with strong environmental records to go above and beyond their legal requirements. Members set typically four public, measurable goals to improve the quality of our nation's air, water, and land. Included in the group are major corporations, small businesses, and public facilities.

Rohm and Haas is working to bring sustainable development to a greater forefront of the chemical industry, in part by demonstrating increased operational improvements and product innovation. As part of this commitment, Rohm and Haas recently announced a comprehensive initiative to develop and implement strategic, sustainable development practices across all areas of its businesses and operations. The company formed a partnership with the international non-profit organization, The Natural Step International—a leading global research, education and advisory organization that specializes in developing systematic, science-based approaches for organizations to become more sustainable—as a participant in its Core Funding Partner Program.

About Rohm and Haas Company

Leading the way since 1909, Rohm and Haas 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 industries including: Building and Construction, Electronics and Electronic Devices, Household Goods and Personal Care, Packaging and Paper, Transportation, Pharmaceutical and Medical, Water, Food and Food Related, and Industrial Process. Innovative Rohm and Haas technologies and solutions help to improve life every day, around the world. Based in Philadelphia, PA, the company generated annual sales of approximately $8.9 billion in 2007. Visit www.rohmhaas.com for more information. imagine the possibilities™