Statement re EPA Announcement

Elementis PLC
21 March 2003



        IMPACT OF FINAL US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RULING ON CCA

Staines, UK, 21 March, 2003 - Elementis plc (London Stock Exchange, ELM) notes
the press advisory released by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on
20 March, 2003, regarding the use of chromated copper arsenate ('CCA') for wood
treatment.

As expected, the EPA has confirmed the withdrawal of registration for the use of
CCA's for most residential uses, but has reduced the scope of the ban so that
agricultural and permanent foundation applications will now not be affected.

Elementis Chromium supplies chromic acid, which is used in the manufacture of
CCA and acts primarily as a binding agent.

Elementis now expects that, as a result of this ruling, Elementis Chromium's
global sales of chromium chemicals will be less affected than previously
anticipated.  It is currently estimated that sales of chromium chemicals could
be affected by around 12 per cent in 2004, representing approximately 4.5 per
cent of total Elementis plc sales.

In order to create a viable low cost manufacturing capability in the changed
market environment that this ruling would create, Elementis acquired the
chromium chemicals business of OxyChem, a US producer, in December 2002.
Following this acquisition, rationalisation of the Elementis Chromium facilities
was undertaken, which is expected to achieve annualised savings in excess of £13
million, with at least half of that amount expected to be achieved in 2003.

The EPA's ruling can be viewed at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/
chemicals/1file.htm


                                     -Ends-

Enquiries:
Elementis plc
Tel: [phone]
Geoff Gaywood                                  Chief Executive
Brian Taylorson                                Finance Director
Hilary Reid Evans                              Head of Corporate Communications

Brunswick
Tel: [phone]
Andrew Fenwick
Fiona Fong


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange