Rockwood Reports Very Strong First Quarter Results:

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Princeton, NJ USA (April 27, 2011)– Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ROC), a global producer of specialty chemicals and advanced materials, today reported earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.80 for the first quarter of 2011 as compared to $0.42 for the same period in the prior year. Rockwood's as adjusted earnings per share increased to $0.88 in the first quarter of 2011 from $0.41 for the same period in the prior year.

"Rockwood's exceptionally strong first quarter profits resulted from organic sales growth in all segments, as well as price increases that offset raw material and other cost increases. We were also able to improve our product mix, primarily in the specialty titanium dioxide business. All of this contributed to achieving an all-time high Adjusted EBITDA margin from continuing operations of 22.6 percent. In addition, our decision to repay a portion of our term debt and refinance the balance resulted in significantly lower interest expense, which further contributed to the significant increase in as adjusted earnings per share to $0.88 compared to the first quarter a year ago," Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said.

The highlights from continuing operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 are as follows:

• Net sales were $914.0 million for the first quarter of 2011, up 17.4% compared to $778.4 million for the same period in the prior year.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $206.6 million for the first quarter of 2011, up 31.7% compared to $156.9 million for the same period in the prior year.
• Net income attributable to Rockwood Holdings, Inc. for the first quarter of 2011 was $63.3 million, including after-tax net special charges of $6.9 million. Net income attributable to Rockwood Holdings, Inc. for the first quarter of 2010 was $32.3 million, including income of $0.9 million related to after-tax net special items.
• Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2011 were $0.80, including after-tax net special charges of $0.08. Excluding net special charges, diluted earnings per share were $0.88 in the first quarter of 2011. Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2010 were $0.42, including income of $0.01 related to after-tax net special items. Excluding net special items, diluted earnings per share were $0.41 in the first quarter of 2010.
• As previously announced, on January 7, 2011, the Company completed the sale of its AlphaGary plastic compounding business to Mexichem S.A.B.de C.V. and recorded a gain on sale, net of taxes of $114.5 million. The results of this business have been accounted for as a discontinued operation in the condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
• The Company also completed a refinancing in support of its long-term debt-reduction strategy on February 10, 2011. The Company refinanced $850 million of its senior secured term loans and repaid $409 million of its senior secured term loans. This refinancing and repayment of senior secured debt is expected to reduce interest expense by approximately $40 million.

Commenting on the outlook, Mr. Ghasemi said, "We remain optimistic about the prospects for our business as demand for Rockwood's products continues to be strong. We expect to increase sales, maintain strong margins and improve earnings per share, while reducing debt in line with our long-term objectives."

First quarter results, as compared with the same period a year ago, are summarized below:

Specialty Chemicals

Net sales and Adjusted EBITDA increased 15.1% and 17.8%, respectively.

• In our Fine Chemicals business, higher volumes of lithium products, as well as increased selling prices of metal sulfides products, were partially offset by higher raw material costs, particularly tin and antimony sulfide.
• In our Surface Treatment business, higher volumes in most markets, particularly in automotive and general industrial, as well as increased selling prices, were partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative costs.

Performance Additives

Net sales and Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.8% and 18.3%, respectively.

• Net sales were up from increased selling prices, as well as higher volumes of most applications, primarily in our Clay-based Additives and Color Pigments and Services businesses.
• Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by higher raw material costs, particularly quaternary amine, copper and iron-oxide.

Titanium Dioxide Pigments

Net sales and Adjusted EBITDA increased 25.1% and 78.2%, respectively.

• Net sales and Adjusted EBITDA were up primarily from higher selling prices, as well as a favorable product mix. This was partially offset by higher production, raw material and energy costs.

Advanced Ceramics

Net sales and Adjusted EBITDA increased 23.6% and 30.5%, respectively.

• Net sales and Adjusted EBITDA were up from higher volumes in all product applications, primarily medical, as well as electronic and cutting tool applications, partially offset by higher maintenance and variable compensation costs.

Corporate and Other

Corporate costs increased in the first quarter of 2011 primarily due to higher variable compensation costs.

Other Items

• Interest expense,net decreased $18.8 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in the prior year. The first quarter of 2011 and 2010 included non-cash gains of $6.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, representing the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of our interest rate swaps. Excluding the impact of these gains, interest expense, net decreased $14.6 million primarily due to debt repayments and lower interest rates related to the refinancing of our senior secured terms loans in February 2011.

• Loss on early extinguishment/modification of debt. In connection with the refinancing of our senior secured credit facility and the repayment of our senior secured term loans in February 2011, we recorded a charge of $16.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 comprised of related fees of $13.1 million and the write-off of deferred financing costs of $3.1 million.

• Income taxes. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2011 was 28.2% and was favorably impacted by a beneficial foreign earnings mix.

• Free cash flowwas an inflow of $11.7 million for the first quarter of 2011 and consisted of net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations of $49.7 million plus special items and other, net of $16.0 million, less capital expenditures, net of $54.0 million.

• Net debt, which is total debt less cash and cash equivalents, was $1,589.1 million as of March 31, 2011 compared to $1,836.9 million as of December 31, 2010. The decrease in net debt was primarily due to proceeds from the sale of our AlphaGary plastic compounding business, partially offset by the impact of currency changes.

Conference Call and Webcast

We will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results of operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 on Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 at 11:00 am Daylight Savings Time. The dial-in number to access the conference call in the U.S. is (800) 230-1096 and the international dial-in number is (612) 288-0337. No access code is needed for either call. A replay of the conference call will be available through May 11, 2011 at (800) 475-6701 in the U.S., access code: 197139, and internationally at (320) 365-3844, access code: 197139.

A listen only, live webcast of the conference call will be available atwww.rocksp.com

. Materials for the call, including a PowerPoint file detailing the results, will be available for download on the site on the morning of the call. The webcast and PowerPoint file will be archived on Rockwood's website.

Rockwood Holdings, Inc. is a leading global specialty chemicals and advanced materials company. Rockwood has a worldwide employee base of approximately 9,700 people and annual net sales of approximately $3.2 billion. Rockwood focuses on global niche segments of the specialty chemicals, pigments and additives and advanced materials markets. For more information on Rockwood, please visitwww.rocksp.com.

The information set forth in this press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning the business, operations and financial condition of Rockwood Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rockwood"). Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "predicts" and variations of such words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Rockwood believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that its expectations will be realized. "Forward-looking statements" consist of all non-historical information, including any statements referring to the prospects and future performance of Rockwood. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in Rockwood's forward-looking statements due to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, the "Risk Factors" described in Rockwood's 2010 Form 10-K on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Rockwood does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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