Acquisition

Clariant
                  

Clariant Acquires Rite Systems/Ricon Colors to Strengthen Masterbatches' North
American Position

Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, announced today that it has
acquired the combined companies of Rite Systems, Inc. and Ricon Colors Inc.,
leading U.S. masterbatches suppliers with both liquid and solid masterbatches
technology. The purchase substantially strengthens Clariant Masterbatches'
market position in North America, a region offering important growth
opportunities and a technologically demanding customer base. Terms of the
agreement, that transferred the businesses effective July 1, were not disclosed.

Founded in 1987 and with yearly sales of approximately USD 50 million, Rite
Systems and Ricon Colors employ approximately 150 people. They operate from
three strategically located plants in the U.S. in: West Chicago, Ill.;
Mooresville, N.C.; and Chino, Calif.; a European operation is based in Vienna,
Austria. The company's portfolio comprises about two-thirds liquid and one-third
solid masterbatches.

'Rite Systems/Ricon Colors is an excellent partner to expand our product and
service offering in North America, especially for our customers in the packaging
and consumer goods market segments,' comments Dominik von Bertrab, Head of
Clariant Masterbatches. 'In particular the excellent knowledge of Rite Systems
in the field of liquid masterbatches is a perfect addition to Clariant's current
capabilities. We are now in an even better position to offer our customers all
the products and services they need to compete successfully in the plastics
market.'

'Further, Rite's outstanding reputation in liquid color will allow us to
leverage this new competence into other regions where Clariant enjoys strong
market positions such as Europe, Asia and Latin America.' Dominik von Bertrab is
convinced that 'combining Rite's strong technology base in liquid with
Clariant's extensive geographic reach will make this acquisition a truly winning
combination for our customers.'

Clariant, the global leader in color and additive masterbatches, currently holds
the number two position in the North American masterbatches market with 13
full-service manufacturing facilities. Clariant Masterbatches' key market
segments include packaging, consumer goods, textile, automotive and additives.
The combined Clariant Masterbatches business will employ more than 700 people in
North America.

'Our goal has always been to be a world class provider of color solutions,' says
Manu Jogani, President of Rite Systems, Inc. 'Partnering with Clariant
Masterbatches will give our company the platform to expand our offerings to both
domestic and international markets. In addition, we are excited to explore the
synergies with Clariant's innovative research and development team to further
enhance our value proposition to our customers.'

More information on Clariant Masterbatches products is available at
www.clariant.masterbatches.com.

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Contacts:

Media Relations

Laurie Reid         Phone: [phone]
                    Email: [e-mail]

Arnd Wagner         Phone: [phone]
                    Email: [e-mail]

Investor Relations

Ulrich Steiner      Phone: [phone]
                    Email: [e-mail]
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Clariant - Exactly your chemistry. Clariant is a global leader in the field of
specialty chemicals. Strong business relationships, commitment to outstanding
service and wide-ranging application know-how make Clariant a preferred partner
for its customers. Clariant, which is represented on five continents with over
100 group companies, employs about 21,000 people. Headquartered in Muttenz near
Basel, Switzerland, it generated sales of CHF 8.5 billion in 2007. Clariant's
businesses are organized in four divisions: Textile, Leather & Paper Chemicals;
Pigments & Additives; Functional Chemicals; and Masterbatches. Clariant is
committed to sustainable growth springing from its own innovative strength.
Clariant's innovative products play a key role in its customers' manufacturing
and treatment processes or else add value to their end products. The Company's
success is based on the know-how of its people and their ability to identify new
customer needs at an early stage and to work together with customers to develop
innovative, efficient solutions. www.clariant.com