Trading Statement

Elementis PLC
13 December 2001

13 December 2001

                    ELEMENTIS plc TRADING UPDATE

Elementis plc today issues its usual pre-close period trading update in advance
of the Group's preliminary results for 2001 which are due to be announced on 28
February 2002.

Since the trading update issued on 16 October 2001, short-term trading
conditions have worsened, other than for Elementis Specialties.  Elementis
Chromium sales in the second half of the year are now expected to be down by
around 12 per cent compared with the same period last year.  Elementis Pigments
results have been particularly impacted by the cost of temporary plant closures
to reduce inventory.  As a result, it is likely that the Group will make a
negligible profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptionals in the second
half of 2001.

The Group continues to have tight controls over working capital and capital
expenditure which should ensure that net borrowings at the year end will be
well below that at the half year.

Looking to 2002, visibility remains poor and trading conditions across the
Group are likely to continue to be difficult, particularly with regard to
Chromium.  We do however anticipate benefits from lower energy and other cost
savings, lack of further downstream destocking and selected volume improvements.

                                   - Ends -

An analyst conference call is scheduled for 2.45pm today.

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Enquiries

Elementis plc                                                    020 7398 1400
Geoff Gaywood                  Chief Executive
George Fairweather             Group Finance Director
Anna Passey                    Head of Corporate Communications

Brunswick Group Ltd                                              020 7404 5959
Andrew Fenwick
Rupert Young