The Valence Group Announces the formation of a Senior Executive Panel

LONDON, October 6, 2010 - The Valence Group, the specialist chemicals M&A advisory boutique, today
announces the formation of a Senior Executive Panel to provide its clients
with access to the strategic insight and experience of senior executives who
have run major chemical companies or have acted as principal investor in the
sector.

    The founding members of the Senior Executive Panel are:

        -- Brendan Cummins, former CEO of Ciba Specialty Chemicals
        -- David Lilley, former CEO of Cytec Industries
        -- Lasse Kurkilahti, former CEO of Kemira
        -- Tony Clinch, former Managing Director of CVC Capital Partners and
           Chairman Elect of The Valence Group

Brendan Cummins was previously Chief Executive of Ciba Specialty
Chemicals, the world leading CHF 6.5 billion (US$5.8 billion, EUR 4.1
billion) sales Swiss-listed specialty chemical company. Brendan lead Ciba as
COO from 2005 and as CEO from 2007 until its acquisition by BASF for CHF 6.1
billion (US$5.5 billion, EUR 3. 8 billion) in late 2008, being on of the most
significant M&A transactions in the specialty chemicals sector in recent
years. Brendan's experience includes over 20 years of senior management roles
in Asia during which time he was instrumental in numerous transactions and
JVs in the region.

David Lilley was previously Chief Executive of Cytec Industries; the U.S.
listed US$3.6 billion, (EUR 2.8 billion) sales specialty chemical and
materials company. David led Cytec as CEO from 1999 until his retirement in
at the end of 2008. During David's tenure, Cytec's portfolio significantly
evolved through both acquisitions and divestitures, thereby contributing to
the company's world leadership positions in its targeted markets. David now
serves on the Board of Directors of Arch Chemicals, Rockwell Collins and
PSEG.

Lasse Kurkilahti was previously Chief Executive of Kemira, the EUR 2.8
billion (US$3.9 billion) sales listed Finnish specialty chemical company.
Lasse led Kemira as CEO from 2004 through 2007, a period in which M&A was an
integral component of the company's strategic development. Prior to Kemira,
Lasse held a number of CEO posts including at Raisio Group, Elcoteq Network
and Nokian Tyres.

Tony Clinch was previously Managing Director with CVC Capital Partners
for 20 years. While at CVC, Tony was instrumental in making, growing and
exiting many significant private equity investments including several
chemical and materials deals such as the purchase and subsequent IPO of
Victrex, Acordis, Flint Ink, Taminco and Adisseo and its subsequent sale to
ChemChina. He is an experienced non-executive director of Private equity
backed and publicly listed businesses. Tony is also Chairman Elect of The
Valence Group.

Peter Hall, Partner, said: "This Panel brings together a wealth of global
experience in the chemicals industry - both managerial and transactional. The
breadth and depth of senior-level expertise will be of major value to our
clients as they evaluate transactions in the chemicals and materials sector."

Telly Zachariades, Partner, also commented: "The Valence Group has
already established itself as a premier M&A advisor to the global chemical
industry and the formation of this Panel further distinguished our unique
capabilities in the sector."

About The Valence Group

The Valence Group is a specialist M&A boutique offering advisory services
exclusively to companies and investors in the chemicals, materials and
related sectors. The firm has developed broad and deep transactional
expertise: sell-side, buy-side, joint venture, private companies, public
offers, corporate carve-outs, LBOs and management buy-outs. The founders and
senior members of The Valence Group collectively have more than 130 years of
transactional experience gained both at major investment banks and within
chemical companies. The firm's offices are located in London, New York and
Shanghai.

www.valencegroup.com

Paul Lakind, Chief Administrative Officer, +1-212-847-7339, plakind at valencegroup.com