US Decision on CCA

Elementis PLC
15 February 2002


15 February 2002

                     ELEMENTIS plc CONFIRMS IMPACT OF
            US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DECISION ON CCA

Elementis plc, the international speciality chemicals group, notes the
statement made by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 12 February
2002 regarding the use of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate ('CCA').

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

In the statement, the EPA announced the transition from the use of CCA in a
variety of consumer uses by 31 December 2003 in favour of other alternative
products.  The statement confirmed that the transition affects virtually all
residential uses of wood treated with CCA including wood used in play-
structures, decks, picnic tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing,
patios and walkways/boardwalks.  By January 2004, EPA will not allow CCA
products for any of these residential uses.

The statement goes on to state that in the current year, the CCA
manufacturers expect a decline in production of CCA products for affected
residential uses up to 25 per cent.  During 2003, the CCA manufacturers
expect the transition away from CCA to continue and increase, with a decline
in production of CCA products for affected residential uses up to 70 per cent.

Elementis understands that, following the CCA manufacturers' request to amend
the pesticide registrations, the EPA will publish a notice in the Federal
Register and a 30 day period for public comment will follow.

As previously indicated in the announcement made on 5 February 2001,
Elementis estimates that as a result of the EPA's decision, the global and US
demand for chromium chemicals will reduce by around 5 and 30 per cent
respectively and Elementis Chromium's global sales could be adversely
affected by around 15 per cent by 2004.


                                 - Ends -

Notes to Editors:

The EPA's announcement can be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/newsroom.htm


Enquiries

Elementis plc                                                    01784 224212
Geoff Gaywood                 Chief Executive
George Fairweather            Group Finance Director
Anna Passey                   Head of Corporate Communications

Brunswick                                                        020 7404 5959
Andrew Fenwick
Rupert Young


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