Rohm and Haas and Novasep to Form Global Alliance for Glycerol Purification

Rohm and Haas Company (NYSE:ROH) Ion Exchange Resins and Novasep today announced their intent to form an exclusive Alliance to market and sell new technology for purification of crude glycerol by-product from biodiesel processing. The Alliance will bring together the expertise of two leaders in purification technologies to offer a complete process solution for crude glycerol purification. The territory for the Alliance will be global. The new technology, based on the combined performance of Rohm and Haas’ AMBERSEP™ BD50 resin and Novasep separation processes, will be offered through the Alliance partners and marketed by Rohm and Haas. The AMBERSEP™ BD50 technology addresses the industry need for a cost-effective alternative to purify crude glycerol with high salt content. Crude glycerol derived from biodiesel production typically contains high levels of salt, and most downstream applications for glycerol are sensitive to salt and other impurities. Conventional distillation is an accepted purification route, but requires high investment and operating costs, compared to the separation process developed by Novasep based on Rohm and Haas specialty polymer resins which delivers purity, productivity and low effluents at the same time as cost savings. "We are pleased to be able to partner with Novasep and draw on their expertise in separations to bring this novel technology to market,” says Kim Ann Mink, Vice President and Global General Manager, Rohm and Haas Ion Exchange Resins. "The availability of crude glycerol has increased exponentially with the rapid growth in the biodiesel industry and we hope this will be a welcome solution to reduce costs for biodiesel producers, glycerol refiners and processors.” Jerome Leroux, Applexion General Manager, one company of Groupe Novasep, adds: "Bringing this novel technology to market with Rohm and Haas will allow us to offer an innovative and environmentally-friendly process to purify crude glycerol. Together, we have an opportunity to help the biodiesel industry capitalize on new industrial applications for glycerol.” Rohm and Haas and Novasep will unveil the technology at the 2008 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida, USA on February 3, 2008. Editor’s Note: Crude glycerol is produced as a by-product in the transesterification reaction used in making biodiesel from triglycerides such as palm, rapeseed and soybean oil. The crude glycerol issued from biodiesel production typically contains high level of salts stemming from the homogeneous transesterification catalyst, as well as other organic and inorganic impurities. AMBERSEP™ BD50 technology is a trademark of Rohm and Haas, its affiliates and subsidiaries. For more information, visit: www.amberlyst.com/glycerol.htm or contact Biodiesel.info@rohmhaas.com About Groupe Novasep Novasep, with its headquarters near Nancy (in Eastern France), is a leading partner for the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals industries through its two businesses – Novasep Process and Novasep Synthesis. Both strategic businesses are complementary organizations with skills designed to provide technically optimized, economically advantageous, and green solutions for the life-science sector and related industries. Novasep Process specializes in solving purification challenges for the Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical and Industrial Biotech markets. The company offers laboratory purification equipment as well as large-scale industrial production plants for producing pure products, and a full range of services including process development, kg to multi-ton scale custom purification and performance optimization. To serve its different markets, Novasep Process offers innovative and reliable solutions based on Novasep Process proprietary technologies: Novasep batch and continuous chromatography (high and low pressure) and crystallization, Applexion® ion exchange and evaporation, Orelis® membrane processes. Novasep Synthesis produces complex molecules using proven and innovative technologies within certified facilities in France, Germany and the Bahamas. Novasep offers exclusive synthesis services from lab to commercial scale to cover the special needs of the Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Agrochemical industries. Novasep sells Reagents, Building Blocks and Generics as well as performs multi-step synthesis for its customers. To serve its different customers Novasep Synthesis has developed know-how and innovative technologies using: Hazardous Chemistry: Azide, Diborane, Diazomethane, Ozonolysis, Carbonylation, Asymmetric technologies: Asymmetric Chemistry, Preparative Chromatography, Synthesis and Purification of Highly Potent Molecules and multi-step, multi-ton synthesis. www.novasep.com About Rohm and Haas Biodiesel Solutions Rohm and Haas is an innovation leader in applying advanced polymer technologies to biodiesel production. Our global team of experts partner with customers on process design and feedstock testing to ensure an optimal solution to meet today’s challenges to produce economical and high quality biodiesel products. About Rohm and Haas Ion Exchange Resins For more than 60 years, Rohm and Haas has been a leading developer and manufacturer of premium ion exchange resins, adsorbents and polymeric catalysts. These products are used to purify fluids, isolate and recover active ingredients, and catalyze organic reactions. Rohm and Haas’ extensive know-how in polymer chemistry enables the development of innovative, functionalized polymers servicing a variety of industries and applications including; electrical power generation, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical manufacture and formulations, chemical and petrochemical processing, food and beverage purification, and the production of potable water. 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. Rohm and Haas Company Forward Looking Statement This release includes forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations. The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement concerning the intent to form an alliance, development of products and services, demand for products and services, sales and earnings forecasts, and actions that may be taken to improve financial performance, involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including the cost of raw materials, natural gas, and other energy sources, and the ability to achieve price increases to offset such cost increases, development of operational efficiencies, changes in foreign currencies, changes in interest rates, the continued timely development and acceptance of new products and services, the impact of competitive products and pricing and the impact of tax and other legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which the company operates. Further information about these risks can be found in the company's SEC 10-K filing of February 28, 2007.