November 21, 2008 12:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

Rohm and Haas Launches Polymer Emulsions Plant Near Moscow, Russia

MOSCOW--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rohm and Haas (NYSE:ROH), the leading producer of specialty materials, today launched a new manufacturing facility in the Ramenskoye region of Moscow. The plant was developed from a greenfield site with close proximity to key customers and with excellent access to local and imported raw materials and all key utilities.

Manufacturing at the plant will be focused on additives for paint and coatings materials and adhesives. The plant has been designed with the capability to make a wider range of polymers for coatings and detergents at a later date.

The new plant will have an ultimate capacity of 70,000 metric tons upon completion of the final stage. The first stage is being launched now. The plant is the company’s largest investment in Russia to date and will be wholly-owned by Rohm and Haas. It will create employment in the area for chemical engineers, operators and administrative personnel.

“This new stage in the Russian activities of Rohm and Haas is really important for the company,” said Cheryl Martin, Vice President and General Manager, Paint and Coatings Materials, for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “We have been active in Russia for more than 30 years through our affiliates. This investment heralds a new commitment into what we consider to be one of our core growth markets. We are sure that in spite of the world economic crisis it is important we continue to make investments in markets with high potential such as Russia.”

Rohm and Haas is the world leader in environmentally advanced polymer emulsion technology. For more than 50 years, the company has successfully designed polymer materials that bring valuable characteristics to its customers’ products. The company makes a versatile range of emulsion binders and additives used to formulate interior and exterior wall paints that perform extremely well, can satisfy local cultural preferences for paint finishes, and work well in regional weather conditions. The company also offers acrylic adhesives that are used to make Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) for building and construction, pressure sensitive adhesives, as well as packaging and label adhesives.

“This manufacturing site will enable us to deliver our technically advanced products faster to the local domestic Russian market and to the neighboring markets of Ukraine, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, and the Baltic States. We are committed to bringing innovative products and tailor-made solutions to the marketplace,” commented Misha Shukov, Country Manager, Russia and FSU.

“We welcome new, modern, organizations whose activities involve the use of progressive technologies. The key regional development objectives, which will maintain our leading position, are: the sustained rate of growth, and a competent, considered and effective investment policy,” said the Head of Ramenskoye Municipal District, Vladimir Fedorovich Demin.

Click here to view this release in Russian.

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™

About Rohm and Haas in Russia

The company has been present in the USSR since mid 1970s supplying chemicals for agriculture (pesticides, herbicides and fungicides) and ion-exchange resins through soviet foreign trade organizations. In 1993 the company re-entered the Consumer Industrial Specialties market in new merging circumstances providing the industry with ion-exchange resins, biocides and agrochemicals. Rohm and Haas representative office in Russia was opened in March 1998 to meet CIS and Baltic States market needs with a diverse range of specialty materials such as acrylic polymers, ion-exchange resins, biocides, plastic additives and chemicals for cosmetics and detergents.