New Wood Technology Breakthrough from Viance Means Less Maintenance with long-lasting Natural Beauty

Charlotte, N.C., July 23, 2007 - Viance, a joint venture of Rohm and Haas' wood biocides business and the wood protection chemicals business of Chemical Specialties Inc., announces that its new Ecolife™ non-metallic, carbon-based preservative plus wood stabilizing polymer system has received its building code approval. Ecolife™ treated wood is described in ICC-ES ESR report 2067 as meeting all major model building code requirements and can be used for any interior or exterior above ground application where performance against the effects of weathering, decay and termite attack is required. Ecolife is now being produced in Florida by Sunbelt Forest Products. An established innovator in the treated wood market, Sunbelt Forest Products is the first wood treater in the United States to launch this technology advancement to the general construction market.

Ecolife Stabilized Wood

"We're excited to bring this new technology to the consumer marketplace," says Dave Fowlie, vice president of business development for Viance. "Ecolife's technology will provide consumers with an outdoor building material that combines the natural appeal and strength of real wood with improved long term performance against the effects of weathering."

Ecolife is comprised of a revolutionary non-metallic, carbon-based preservative plus wood stabilizing polymer system that offers consumers the natural beauty of real wood combined with advancements in weathering protection, fastener performance and environmental attributes. Ecolife also provides protection against decay and termites.

"We know consumers love real wood, but concern about weathering and the need for extensive maintenance made some people shy away from using it in their decks and other outdoor structures," said Don Hayes, sales manager for Sunbelt Forest Products "Ecolife's stabilizer treatment will allow those customers to enjoy the beauty of real wood again."

Results from accelerated weathering tests simulating two years of Florida weathering show that the stabilizer in Ecolife reduces cracking and splitting by approximately 90% compared to traditional treated wood.

In addition to its superior weathering, Ecolife's non-metallic preservative plus stabilizer treatment also provides improved fastener performance with a wide range of fastener systems and is no more corrosive to fasteners and fittings than untreated wood. Unlike traditional treated wood products, EcolifeTM can be used in direct contact with aluminum building products.

Ecolife treated wood can be used for any interior or exterior above ground application where protection from decay and termite attack is required. Applications include decking, railings, fencing, steps, gazebos, outdoor furniture, play ground equipment, docks and piers, trellis and lattice work, structural framing, outdoor joist supports, wood siding and wood trim.

Due to its versatility, Ecolife treated wood will be available in variety of species including southern yellow pine, radiata pine, ponderosa pine, red pine, western hemlock and Douglas fir. In addition wood treated with Ecolife can be painted or stained to match any outdoor color scheme.

"All Ecolife products will be competitively priced compared with other treated wood products," explains Fowlie.

Ecolife is now available in Florida with plans in place to launch the product nationally with several wood treaters committed to introducing the product over the next few months.

Viance is a joint venture between Rohm and Haas Company and Chemical Specialties, Inc. For more information about wood treatment technology and Viance products, visit www.treatedwood.com.

About Viance
Viance provides an extensive range of advanced wood treatment technologies and services to the global wood treatment industry. With an expertise in wood biocides and wood protection chemicals, Viance provides high-level product support to its customers to provide innovative, advanced solutions that improve the performance and durability of wood and wood products. Viance is a joint venture between Rohm and Haas Company and Chemical Specialties, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rockwood Holdings. For more information about wood treatment technology and Viance products, visit www.treatedwood.com.